Speaking to reporters on Sunday at Julius Nyerere International Airport after the team’s return from Botswana, Simba Board Chairperson Crescentius Magori confirmed that the club would issue an official statement soon but declined to go into detail.
“As for Coach Fadlu Davids, the time will come for us to speak officially. For now, our focus is on Thursday’s league fixture against Fountain Gate FC,” Magori was quoted by Daily News.
Questions over Davids’ position grew louder after he and several members of his technical staff did not travel back to Tanzania with the rest of the squad.
Davids had, however, been present on the bench a day earlier as Simba secured a 1-0 victory over Gaborone United in the CAF Champions League preliminary round.
Club Media and Communications Officer Ahmed Ally sought to ease concerns, explaining that Davids, his assistants, and players Neo Maema and Rushine De Reuck had remained in South Africa for a short break.
“Yes, they are still in South Africa, but they will re-join the squad when training resumes on Tuesday,” Ally confirmed.
Asked about Davids’ Raja links, he neither confirmed nor denied them, stating: “What I can confirm is that our coach and players are on a short break and will be back soon.”
In a separate development, Ally revealed that Simba have lodged an appeal to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to overturn a decision forcing their second-leg clash with Gaborone United to be played behind closed doors.
“We have requested permission to host fans and are expecting a response within the week,” he said.