Tanzanian giants Simba SC suffered a heavy 4–1 defeat to Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman in an international friendly match played on Sunday at the Gymkhana Grounds in Dar es Salaam.
The friendly encounter formed part of both teams’ preparations for upcoming domestic and continental competitions, drawing hundreds of fans eager to witness a rare clash between two of East Africa’s top clubs.
Simba’s only goal came from Elie Mpanzu, while Al Hilal’s strikes were courtesy of Coulibaly, Elhaji Madiki, and a brace from Sunday, sealing a convincing victory for the Sudanese side.
The result will likely prompt Simba’s technical bench to reassess their squad’s readiness ahead of the new season, with areas of weakness exposed during the match.
Al Hilal’s Rising Form
Al Hilal’s impressive performance continues their good run of form following their campaign in the 2025 CECAFA Kagame Cup, where they reached the tournament’s final.
The Sudanese club were drawn in Group C, securing one win and two draws—1–1 against Mogadishu City Club and Al Ahly Wad SC, before defeating Kator FC 3–1.
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Their journey saw them progress to the semi-finals, where they beat APR FC of Rwanda 3–1 to reach the final. However, they narrowly missed out on the title after a 2–1 loss to Singida Black Stars FC of Tanzania.
Simba’s Next Steps
The defeat serves as a wake-up call for Simba SC, who will be looking to fine-tune their tactics and regain form before resuming competitive action in the Tanzanian Premier League and continental tournaments.
Despite the setback, the match provided valuable experience and a chance to evaluate the team’s depth against one of the region’s most consistent performers.
