Dar es Salaam — Tanzanian giants Simba SC have appointed national team coach Hemed “Morocco” Suleiman as interim head coach, the club announced on Tuesday, following the exit of South African coach Fadlu Davids to Moroccan side Raja Casablanca.
Davids, whose tactical leadership helped Simba deliver strong performances on both domestic and continental fronts, has officially left the club to take up the head coach role at Raja Casablanca, bringing to an end a tenure that many describe as impactful.
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According to a statement from Simba SC, Suleiman’s appointment is temporary and is specifically for the club’s upcoming CAF Champions League matches. His first task will be to manage the return leg of the second round tie against Gaborone United, scheduled to be held at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium next weekend. Simba hold a slim 1-0 aggregate lead from the first leg.
Suleiman, better known by his nickname “Morocco”, is concurrently head coach of the Tanzanian national team, Taifa Stars — a role he has held since January 2024. He guided Tanzania to the knockout stages of the 2024 CHAN tournament as unbeaten group winners, before exiting in the quarterfinals after a 1-0 loss to Morocco.
The Simba SC statement also noted that the club has submitted an appeal to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to lift the order for the second leg of the Gaborone United tie to be played behind closed doors, seeking permission to have fans in attendance.
Meanwhile, Simba are reportedly in negotiations to appoint a long-term replacement for Davids, with Argentine coach Miguel Gamondi among those under consideration. Gamondi, whose recent track record includes success with rival Tanzanian clubs, is said to be the frontrunner.
