Simba SC has launched its 2026 jersey and unveiled its 90th anniversary logo at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, in a move that combined football, tourism and preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The event, held on August 1 at the Ngoitoktok area within the Ngorongoro Crater, attracted more than 300 supporters from Tanzania and abroad, alongside officials from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA).
Set against the backdrop of the crater’s wildlife and scenic landscape, the launch marked the start of Simba Week and highlighted a growing partnership between the club and one of Tanzania’s most visited tourist destinations.
NCAA Deputy Conservation Commissioner for Corporate Services, Aidan Makala, said the event demonstrated how sport can be used to promote domestic tourism while positioning Tanzania as a destination for sports-related travel.
“This event is a positive outcome of the collaboration between Simba SC and Ngorongoro. It has helped promote domestic tourism and supports efforts to strengthen sports tourism as Tanzania prepares to host AFCON 2027,” he said.
Simba Information and Communications Manager Ahmed Ally said the club selected Ngorongoro because of its unique combination of natural beauty, cultural heritage and historical significance.
“Ngorongoro is more than a conservation area. It is a place where nature, culture and history coexist. Holding this launch here allows us to connect our supporters with one of Tanzania’s most important national treasures,” he said.
The launch comes as Tanzania continues to explore opportunities to leverage major sporting events to boost tourism and international visibility.
With AFCON 2027 expected to attract thousands of visitors to East Africa, stakeholders are increasingly looking at ways to link sports, conservation and cultural attractions to expand the country’s tourism offering.
For Simba, the event served not only as the unveiling of a new kit ahead of the 2026/27 season but also as a statement of the club’s intention to use its national profile to promote Tanzania’s tourism destinations to a wider audience.
