Mohammed Bajaber: How Simba SC Midfielder Can Reclaim His Harambee Stars Spot Post-Injury

Mohammed Bajaber's journey to have his spot in the Simba SC starting XI and Harambee Stars squad post-injury is a two-pronged challenge.

The journey demands exceptional physical recovery and mental fortitude. Mohammed Bajaber made a high-profile move to the Tanzanian giants from Kenya Police FC.

However, he was sidelined by a muscle injury that also ruled him out of national team duties and due to that, his return must be calculated and impactful.

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Mohammed Bajaber's initial challenge lies in establishing himself at Simba SC, one of the most demanding clubs in East Africa, especially since he missed the start of the season and crucial pre-season integration due to a thigh injury.

While reports indicate he has recovered, transitioning that back into the competitive rigour of the Tanzanian Premier League and the CAF Champions League is the true test.

The primary hurdle is to prove his full fitness. Simba SC's medical and technical teams will closely monitor his ability to endure a full 90 minutes across multiple games without a relapse.

Mohammed Bajaber must move beyond just being fit and achieve peak match sharpness, demonstrating the explosive pace and stamina required in the midfield engine room.

Simba's midfield is often highly competitive. Mohammed Bajaber needs to quickly master the specific tactical demands of coach Dimitri Pantev, be it as a dynamic box-to-box midfielder, a creative number ten, or a winger.

His previous brilliance as a playmaker and goal threat must be translated into the Simba system, showing he can execute team pressing schemes and quick-transition attacks flawlessly.

Standout performances in substitute appearances, particularly in high-stakes matches like the CAF Champions League, will be his strongest argument for a starting role.

For Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy, Mohammed Bajaber was considered a ‘powerhouse’ and one of the team's ‘better players’ before injury and the Simba SC move made him ineligible for the CHAN tournament.

His return to the national fold is less about 'proving' his inherent talent, which earned him the call-up and a debut goal against Gambia, and more about his club form and availability.

Benni McCarthy's trust will be earned by his consistent performance at Simba SC. The national team coach's criteria for foreign-based players are typically higher: they must be playing regularly and performing at an elite level.

If Mohammed Bajaber can become a Simba SC starter and excel in continental football, his inclusion in the Harambee Stars squad becomes a formality. Regular minutes in a high-quality league are the non-negotiable prerequisite.

Mohammed Bajaber needs to quickly re-integrate, show understanding with his teammates, and adapt to any new tactical instructions from Benni McCarthy.