Simba part ways with Benchikha after winning Union title

Dar es Salaam. Two days after their heroic Union title victory, football giants Simba are reportedly parting ways with Algerian tactician Adelhak Benchikha, The Citizen has learnt.

Simba secured the Union title by defeating Azam FC 1-0 in the final match held at the new Amaan Complex in Zanzibar last Saturday night.

This title marks the first for the Algerian tactician since he joined the team on November 24, 2023.

According to information received from one of Simba’s board of directors’ members, Benchikha has requested to leave the club due to family matters, particularly concerning his ill wife.

The source mentioned that the coach was supposed to leave the club before competing in the special Union League matches but postponed the move due to the assignment.

“Soon after arriving from Zanzibar, Benchikha insisted that he wanted to leave the club due to serious family matters. He stated that he would not stay in the country due to these serious family issues,” said the source.

He explained that the club’s board of directors were supposed to meet on April 28, 2024 to discuss the matter and later issue a special statement.

“We are yet to meet, as Benchikha insisted he wanted to leave. Regardless, we have to agree with him due to sensitive reasons that cannot be revised,” said the source.

The source also said that the team’s former head coach, Juma Mgunda, will be the caretaker in the post and will be assisted by Seleman Matola.

Simba’s chairman, Murtaza Mangungu, was not ready to clarify the matter, stating that the club would issue a special press statement.

“Let’s wait for the official statement from the club. We normally issue statements concerning our club matters. We may release a statement in the evening, April 28, 2024, night, or later on,” said Mangungu through the telephone.

Benchikha’s record at Simba

Since his introduction to the Msimbazi Street giants, replacing Roberto “Robertinho” Oliveira, Benchikha has led the team in a total of 21 matches in various competitions.

The competitions include the Mainland Premier League, the CAF Champions League, the CRDB Federation Cup, and the revived Union League this year.

In the Mainland Premier League, he has led the team in 11 matches, winning six, drawing three, and losing twice, while scoring a total of 18 goals and conceding only eight.

There are only two Mainland Premier League matches that Benchikha did not lead Simba in, which are against Coastal Union, where the team won 2-1 (March 9, 2024), and a 3-1 victory against Singida Fountain Gate on March 12 this year. The reason for his absence in those matches is due to his trip to Algeria to participate in a five-day refresher coaching course.

In the CAF Champions League, Benchikha led Simba in seven matches, winning two, drawing two, and losing three and scored eight goals while conceding four.

In the CRDB Federation Cup, Benchikha flopped after being eliminated early in the round of 16 against Mashujaa FC of the Kigoma region on 6-5 penalties. The teams recorded a 1-1 draw.

In the revived Union League this year after a 20-year hiatus, Benchikha managed to win two matches. Simba won a 2-0 victory against KVZ and later won 1-0 against Azam FC in the final to clinch the title.

Overall, in these 21 matches, Simba under Benchikha scored a total of 30 goals while conceding 13.