Fabrice Ondoa Seeks Fresh Start with Tanzanian Club Simba SC

Fabrice Ondoa, the former Cameroon national team goalkeeper, has signed with Tanzanian club Simba SC in a bid to revive his career. The 27-year-old was a free agent after parting ways with Belgian side KV Oostende in 2022.

Ondoa rose to prominence as the starting goalkeeper for Cameroon at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, which the Indomitable Lions won. He made several key saves throughout the tournament, including in the final against Egypt. Ondoa's performances earned him a move to Spanish club Sevilla, but he struggled for playing time and spent loan spells at other clubs.

In 2020, Ondoa joined KV Oostende but made just 11 appearances over two seasons. His contract was terminated by mutual consent in August 2022, leaving him without a club. Ondoa will now look to get his career back on track in Tanzania with Simba SC, one of the country's most successful clubs.

"I am very happy to join Simba SC," Ondoa said at his unveiling. "This is a big club with a lot of history and I want to help the team win more trophies. I am fit and ready to compete for a starting position."

Simba SC has won the Tanzanian Premier League a record 21 times and is aiming to defend its title this season. The club also regularly competes in the CAF Champions League. Ondoa will face competition from incumbent goalkeeper Aishi Manula for the starting role.

Ondoa's signing is part of Simba SC's efforts to strengthen its squad as it targets domestic and continental success. The club has also brought in Ugandan midfielder Taddeo Lwanga and Zambian forward Moses Phiri in recent weeks.

For Ondoa, the move to Simba SC represents a chance to regain his form and potentially earn a recall to the Cameroon national team. He has not featured for the Indomitable Lions since 2019 but will hope that regular playing time in Tanzania can put him back in contention for selection, especially with the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon.

Ondoa's first match for Simba SC could come on April 23 when the club faces Coastal Union in the Tanzanian Premier League. Fans will be eager to see if the goalkeeper can rediscover the form that made him a hero for Cameroon at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and help Simba SC to more success.

Key Takeaways

• Fabrice Ondoa, ex-Cameroon GK, signs with Tanzanian club Simba SC.
• Ondoa was a free agent after leaving Belgian club KV Oostende in 2022.
• Ondoa aims to revive his career and compete for a starting role at Simba SC.
• Simba SC is a successful Tanzanian club that competes in the CAF Champions League.
• Ondoa hopes to earn a recall to the Cameroon national team with regular playing time.