AFTER witnessing Simba SC fail to move to the second place in the NBC Premier League, the squad's interim head coach Juma Mgunda has disclosed the 1-1 draw with Kagera Sugar at Kaitaba Stadium in Kagera has given him and his players a wake-up call.

Simba SC failed to come out victorious in last weekend's tie, after having gone 1-0 up via a goal scored by winger Ladaki Chasambi, as Kagera Sugar equalized through forward Obrey Chirwa in the second half.

The Msimbazi Street-based Simba SC is still positioned third in the standing after collecting 57 points from 26 matches with four games to play before the end of the campaign.

Mgunda pointed out that with four games left, his outfit needs an assessment of why it failed to convert chances in many decisive games this season.

The race for securing participation in next season's CAF Champions League is still ongoing, with second-placed Azam FC having established a three-point gap with Simba after defeating Kinondoni Municipal Council 2-1 at Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam the same weekend.

The gaffer stated: "With four games left in the league, we have received a wake-up call on why we create many chances but fail to score, we are at this position today because our players are misfiring in front of goal, but we won't stop working as a team."

Mgunda expressed optimism over his club's forward Freddy Kouablan - who missed clear chances to score goals against Kagera Sugar - and disclosed that the technical bench plans to ensure the players convert chances.

"Kouablan is a Simba SC player, we rally behind him. We make sure he trains the right way, and we should also analyze with the player and know why he keeps on missing these chances. We understand that no player is born a goal scorer, the difference is how you position yourself in goal-scoring spaces," the gaffer pointed out.

Mgunda called on his players to add focus and understand the task at hand - namely qualification for next season's CAF Champions League.

"Focus had to be added in the remaining games. We will next take on Dodoma Jiji FC. Our focus has to lie on the upcoming game, we can't afford to make more mistakes in this game because our close rivals are winning, we have to keep up with the pace," the tactician disclosed.

The coach stressed: "I know the end of the league will justify our journey in general but amends have to be made now. I am pleased with what I see in my players since I took the reins and we will keep on working together to ensure we finish (in one of the) top two positions in the league log."

With last weekend's outcome, Simba has witnessed long-time rivals, Yanga, lift this season's NBC Premier League trophy following the club's convincing 3-1 drubbing of Mtibwa Sugar at Manungu Stadium in Morogoro on Monday.