Earlier this year, Simba SC bid farewell to two of its strikers, Jean Baleke and Moses Phiri, and brought in two new names, one of them being Fred Kouablan, a young talent who shone brightly while playing in the Zambian Premier League for Green Eagles FC. In the 2023/2024 season, Fred played half a season in the Zambian Premier League with Green Eagles FC, featuring in 17 matches and scoring 12 goals.
His impressive performance caught the attention of Simba SC scouts, who hoped he would solve the team's issues with converting chances created by its midfielders like Clautos Chama and Saido Ntibanzokiza, as well as wingers like Kibu Denis and Willy Esomba Onana.
However, the results of his signing did not meet the high expectations. His arrival raised many questions and sparked debates among Simba and rival team fans alike. Fred Kouablan has struggled to capitalize on clear opportunities, resulting in the team squandering numerous goal-scoring chances.
Since joining Simba, Fred has played several games but has failed to convert many clear-cut chances. The Ivorian striker's presence has not alleviated the problem as intended. Instead, it seems to have exacerbated the situation compared to his predecessors, Baleke and Phiri.
The team's coach has been forced to start matches without a recognized striker, opting to use midfielders as makeshift attackers for approximately 75 to 80 minutes in some matches, only to bring on strikers like Fred Michael Kouablan in the second half to finish the game.
The prolonged difficulty in scoring goals and the failure to utilize opportunities highlights how the once shining star from Zambia has faded in Tanzania, akin to the setting sun in the evening. The poor performance of this star player has left Simba fans disheartened, especially after missing out on the championship for two consecutive seasons. Each addition to the team seems to bury them deeper in disappointment, like a star buried beneath layers of sand.
