SIMBA SC is on the fast track to find a new head coach following the departure of Abdelhak Benchikha.

The Algerian gaffer, along with his assistants Farid Zemit and Kamal Bougnan, recently left the club, leaving a gap to be filled before the season ends on May 28, 2024.

Simba SC’s management wasted no time in initiating the search process. The club's officials held a meeting shortly after Benchikha’s departure, with a focus on securing a new head coach before the upcoming transfer window opens.

While Simba SC has remained tight-lipped about the outfit's shortlist, sources reveal the club’s ambition to find a coach who can oversee the entire transfer process and reclaim past dominance.

“Many players’ contracts are ending, and negotiations have been put on hold,” a Simba SC leader noted.

The leader added: “Without a head coach, who will sign off new contracts? Ideally, we’d find someone before the season ends. This coach could assess the current squad and determine the direction for transfers. Additionally, they could advise on who should stay and who should leave amongst those whose contracts expire.”

He emphasized a more professional approach, noting: “We won’t be publicly inviting applications. We have coaches in mind, and discussions have already begun. The goal is to find someone who aligns with our philosophies and delivers the results we expect.”

While specific names have yet to be disclosed, Simba SC is reportedly prioritizing a coach who can develop young talent and foster team balance.

The Msimbazi Street side pursues a coach who can build players' strength and create a cohesive, unified squad without internal divisions.

African football experience, particularly in the CAF Champions League in which Simba SC has consistently fallen short in recent years, is another key factor in the outfit’s search.

Reports suggest that some of the coaches currently under consideration were previously approached by Simba SC, but negotiations ultimately fell through.

One such name is Senegalese coach Lamine N’Diaye, currently at the helm of DRC soccer powerhouse TP Mazembe.

N’Diaye boasts a decorated career, having coached Horoya AC (Guinea), Al Hilal (Sudan), Maghreb de Fès (Morocco), Coton Sport (Cameroon), and Senegal's national team.

Notably, he guided TP Mazembe to the CAF Champions League semi-finals in his first season with the club.

Another contender is Portuguese coach Alexandre Santos, who leads Petro de Luanda (Angola).

Santos was previously on Simba SC’s radar in 2022, but a deal could hardly be materialized. This season, his team reached the CAF Champions League quarterfinals before bowing out.

Omar Najhi, an Englishman of Moroccan descent, is also on the list. He previously managed Wydad Casablanca and Mouloudia Oujda (Morocco) and is currently a free agent after leaving Ittihad Tanger.

Notably, Najhi was considered when Simba SC sacked Roberto Oliveira ‘Robertinho’ but ultimately lost out to Benchikha.

These are just a few of the coaches reportedly on Simba SC’s radar. Juma Mgunda, the current interim head coach, is also said to be a potential candidate for an assistant coaching role under a new head coach.

As of now, Mgunda remains at the helm, assisted by former midfielder and club captain Selemani Matola.

Despite the coaching uncertainty, Simba SC is very much in the fight for Premier League silverware, with the outfit currently sitting third in the league standings with 47 points after 22 matches.

Simba SC's hunt for a new head coach is driven by a clear ambition- to rebuild the squad and restore lost glory.