Harambee Stars winger ends frustrating season by clinching trophy with Simba SC

Harambee Stars forward Mohamed Bajaber has won the second major trophy of his career after Simba SC edged Azam FC 1-0 to lift the 2025/26 Tanzanian FA Cup.

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Although Bajaber did not feature in the final held at Gombani Stadium, he was part of the Simba squad that capped off a successful cup campaign with victory over their domestic rivals.

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The final was a tightly contested affair, with both sides matching each other for long spells in the opening half, which ended goalless after a cagey battle that offered few clear-cut scoring opportunities.

Simba eventually broke the deadlock 16 minutes into the second half in fortunate circumstances.

Azam defender Yahya Zayid inadvertently turned the ball into his own net under pressure, handing the Msimbazi Reds the decisive breakthrough.

Despite Azam throwing bodies forward in search of an equaliser, Simba remained resolute at the back to preserve their slender advantage and secure the trophy at the final whistle.

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The victory also served as sweet redemption for Simba, who suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to bitter rivals Yanga SC in last season's FA Cup final.

This time, they ensured there would be no repeat as they claimed a sixth FA Cup crown.

Simba's journey to the title was equally impressive. They opened their campaign with a commanding 3-1 victory over Dodoma Jiji in the Round of 16 before cruising past TRA United 4-0 in the quarter-finals.

Another dominant 4-0 triumph over Coastal Union booked their place in the final, where they completed the job against Azam.

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For Bajaber, the triumph marks a memorable milestone in his debut season at Simba. The Kenya international has endured an injury-disrupted campaign since making the move to Tanzania, limiting his opportunities to establish himself in the first team, but he now has his first piece of silverware with the club.

The success also caps off a memorable week for Kenyan footballers in Tanzania. Just days after Harambee Stars midfielder Duke Abuya celebrated lifting the Tanzania Premier League title with Yanga SC, Bajaber has followed suit by winning the FA Cup with Simba.

This becomes the second trophy for Bajaber in his burgeoning career after lifting the FKF Premier League title with Kenya Police in the 2024/25 season.