Young Africans beat rivals Simba to sign Wydad forward Souleymane Moulalimo

Tanzanian giants Young Africans have completed the signing of Wydad AC striker Souleymane Moulalimo after unexpectedly beating fierce rivals Simba SC to his signature.

Young Africans officially announced the arrival of the forward on Tuesday, bringing an unexpected end to a transfer saga that had involved the two leading clubs in Tanzanian football and Moroccan giants Wydad.

Moulalimo had initially been expected to move from Wydad to Simba, but complications during negotiations left his future uncertain.

Simba move falls through

Wydad had been in discussions with Simba over a deal for the striker, with Moulalimo later returning to training with the Moroccan club.

His return to Wydad raised doubts over whether the proposed transfer to Simba would be completed and left the player’s next destination unclear.

Young Africans then moved quickly to take advantage of the uncertainty and secured the striker’s signature.

The announcement came as a surprise given the rivalry between Young Africans and Simba, with the two clubs among the most successful and popular sides in Tanzania.

Boost for Young Africans

Moulalimo’s arrival is expected to strengthen Young Africans’ attacking options as they prepare for the new season.

The forward brings experience and attacking qualities that could prove valuable as the club competes for domestic honours while also pursuing success in continental competition.

For Simba, losing a player they had been negotiating to sign to their biggest domestic rivals will add another layer to an already dramatic transfer saga.

Moulalimo’s move to Young Africans ultimately brings an unexpected conclusion to a story that began with the striker being linked with Simba and ended with him crossing the Tanzanian football divide to join their fiercest rivals.