This archive report was first published on 22 May 2020.
Simba SC, the Tanzanian Premier League runaway leaders, are sweating on the availability of two of their key players, Meddie Kagere and Francis Kahata, ahead of the proposed league restart next month.
According to Francis Kahata, the Kenyan midfielder, the two players returned to their respective countries after the Tanzanian league was halted in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With Rwanda and Kenya having set up tough border rules, Simba risk being without Kagere and Kahata. Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the cessation of movement in and out of Kenya-Tanzania border (Namanga and Isibania) as well as the Kenya-Somali boarders.
Francis Kahata expressed his concerns about traveling to Tanzania for the restart, citing health safety concerns. He stated, "I have talked to the club’s management as late as yesterday (Thursday) and I told them the situation here. I have also had a chat with Meddie (Kagere) and he told me it is the same in Rwanda as well so for us, it is going to be difficult to travel to Tanzania for the restart, until at least June 6 when we know the way forward," in an interview with Capital Sport.
Simba lead the Tanzanian top tier standings with 71 points, 17 ahead of second-placed Azam FC and 20 in front of arch-rivals Yanga, with 10 rounds of matches remaining. They only need to win four matches and draw one to attain an unassailable lead in the standings and be declared champions.
