Ivorian central defender Olivier Touré is set for a reunion with former Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker at Simba while Niger national team goalkeeper Mahamadou Tanja’s signing was also announced.
Touré is a player who appears likely to be a key player for the Dar es Salaam club due to his past history with recently hired head coach Barker.
The Ivorian was a pillar of the defense during his time in South Africa with Stellenbosch and the 28-year-old joins as a free agent following a brief spell with Bani Yas in the United Arab Emirates.
The former ASEC Mimosas player has plenty of experience in African interclub competitions, achieving semifinal finishes in the CAF Confederation Cup with Stellenbosch during the 2024-25 season and another South African club, Marumo Gallants, during the 2022-23 campaign. He only made seven appearances for Bani Yas before being released by the UAE Pro League relegation fighters.
Nigerien goalkeeper Tanja, also known by his full name Mahamadou Tanja Djibrilla Kassali Djibo, was signed in the last hour at the time of mid season transfer window.
Mahamadou Tanja Djibrilla Kassali Djibo joins from Nigerien club AS FAN after multiple first team goalkeepers were injured at Simba.
Tanja has nearly thirty appearances for the Niger national team. The 29-year-old performed well for his nation at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) played in August last year and was also the #1 for Niger at the 2022 CHAN played in Algeria.
Finally, the club also brought in left back Nickson Kibabage from fellow top flight side Singida Black Stars. The Tanzania international, a former player of Simba’s rivals Young Africans, arrives after being an unused squad member with the Tanzania team that reached the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 25-year-old also represented Tanzania at the 2017 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations and spent a brief spell abroad in Morocco before establishing himself as one of the best fullbacks in Tanzanian club football.
