Simba planning to recorver from humiliation of last season

By Joseph Batte Today if you mention the name Simba, all football clubs in Uganda will cast a wary eye over their backs. Not only is Simba a hard nut to crack, they are one of Uganda's teams who have scant respect for the giants, a fact that Express, Villa and KCC all found out the hard way last year. Simba are the only team that beat all three aristocrats. If only they could master some consistency, they would present a bigger threat because in coaches Mike Mutebi and Moses Basena, they boast of one of the best benches in the country. Unfortunately, Simba always falter against the lightweight teams they are expected to overcome. Last year they lost to teams like UPDF, relegation certainities at the time, and wound up fighting relegation. Coach Moses Basena attributed last year's poor showing to lack of discipline. "We had a squad of old established players and when we recruited new young players, the senior players were jealous," Basena said. "When it came to our attention we called a meeting and resolved the issue, but the damage had already been done that's why we found ourselves fighting relegation." The two coaches seem to have put their house in order since and have added some new playing staff. Among the new faces are Mohamed Katerega. The pacy former Express striker was recalled from retirement and will partner experienced old hand Misusera Katende. Former Villa, KCC player John Mandwara might just prove to his critics that he still has some grit. A sublimely skilled Fred Tamale (no relation with the Express legend) has also been drafted in and is expected to produce the midfield magic. So many other aspects of the Simba midfield will remain the same. David Kalungi 'senior', who Mutebi and Basena often field in the 'floater' position will still be in place and Sula Walusimbi is also likely to be prominent. Injury permitting, veteran goalkeeper Fred Kajoba is still going to have his say and will likely be deputised by Frank Walusimbi. As strong proponents of tactical flowing game, Mutebi and Basena's method can be summed up in one word: Construction. Both tacticians say they are still in the process of building a team that will emulate the exploits Simba of the 70s. "A lot has to be done before history comes to a full circle. It doesn't take a few years to build a good team worth Simba's name. So we don't really count ourselves among the favourites." Ends