Simba SC head coach Fadlu Davids has reflected on the 2024/25 campaign and reacted to the heartbreak of missing out on the NBC Tanzanian Premier League title to fierce rivals Young Africans on the last matchday.

The Reds of Msimbazi suffered a 2-0 defeat to Timu Ya Wananchi in the famed Kariakoo derby at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in the season finale on Wednesday. Goals from Ivorian attacking midfielder Pacome Zouzoua and Clement Mzize were enough to sink Simba.

Heading into the highly anticipated title decider, only a point separated the two Tanzanian powerhouses, with Yanga having amassed 79 points, while second-placed Simba trailed with 78 points from 29 league outings each.

With the crucial win in the derby, Miloud Hamdi, who took over the reins from former TS Galaxy mentor Sead Ramovic in February, managed to steer Yanga to a points tally of 82 en route to a record-extending fourth consecutive championship.

For the South African mentor and his charges, the dream to reign supreme in the Tanzanian top-flight for the first time since the 2020/21 season was dashed despite recording a total of 78 points and just two defeats the entire term, both against the title holders.

“First of all, well done to Young Africans. I think they have players with a big-match temperament, and that was the difference. You know, a very powerful influence that Yanga has outside, but also on the field. The players have shown the mentality to manage a big game,” said a visibly dejected Davids.

While his side might not have achieved the objectives set at the beginning of the season, resulting in a trophyless campaign, Davids believes his troops overachieved considering the nature of the youthful squad at his disposal.

“With what we experienced, if you have to zoom out and look at the season, maybe we overachieved with the type of squad that we have, and a lot of things went wrong for us off the field this season,” the 44-year-old tactician added.

In addition to taking the title race to the wire, the former Orlando Pirates co-coach guided Simba to a CAF Confederation Cup final, where they fell short to RS Berkane of Morocco. Furthermore, the 22-time Tanzanian champions were knocked out of the CRDB Cup in the semi-finals.