Widely recognized as one of the most prolific forwards in Ethiopian women’s football, Senaf Wakuma has officially embarked on her next chapter. The dynamic striker recently completed a transfer to Tanzanian powerhouse Simba Queens, signing a one-year deal that marks her first major club spell abroad.
Senaf arrives in Dar es Salaam with a formidable domestic reputation and an enviable track record. Developed at the renowned Tirunesh Dibaba Sports Academy, her career trajectory saw her rise through the ranks to feature for top tier Ethiopian clubs including Adama Ketema, Ethiopia Nigd bank (CBE), and Mechal, where she spent the recently concluded campaign. A mainstay across all age brackets of the Ethiopian national team setup over the last decade, Senaf brings wealth of experience and international poise to the East African region.
Her clinical efficiency in front of goal speaks for itself: Senaf finished as the top scorer in both the 2024/25 Ethiopian Women’s Premier League and the 2024 CECAFA Women’s Champions League Qualifiers, establishing herself as a big stage performer.
The move to Simba Queens is the culmination of a persistent chase by the Tanzanian giants. According to Senaf, the club’s interest dates back to the previous season before negotiations were reignited to seal the contract this transfer window.
“The opportunity to join Simba Queens actually originated during the last transfer window,” Senaf revealed. “Simba maintained a strong, continuous interest in signing me. When we reopened negotiations for this window, we successfully concluded an agreement for a one-year contract.”
Despite holding enticing offers from top domestic clubs within Ethiopia, Senaf was determined to step out of her comfort zone to test her skills on a broader regional stage. While financial terms are always a consideration for a professional athlete, her decision was fundamentally driven by ambition and growth.
“It’s true that I received good offers from domestic clubs,” she explained. “While financial aspects matter to any professional player, my primary motivation was to go abroad, embrace a new challenge, and prove myself on a larger international platform. Simba’s strong presence both in their domestic league and in continental competitions made my decision much easier.”
Having already integrated into pre-season training with her new teammates, Senaf has been thoroughly impressed by the infrastructure and culture within the Tanzanian club. Simba Queens are currently ramping up preparations for the upcoming CECAFA qualifiers for the CAF Women’s Champions League.
“Simba Queens is a massive club in East African Women’s football,” Senaf noted. “From my very first training session, I observed a high level of professionalism, a commitment to women’s football, and excellent hospitality toward new players. The competitive spirit inside the squad is fantastic.”
Her arrival generated immediate excitement among the passionate Simba fan base, with supporters flooding social media to welcome the Ethiopian goal queen.
“The reception on social media when my transfer was announced was heartwarming,” she shared. “Whether fans are commenting on my appearance or my footballing ability, it creates extra motivation for me to perform on the pitch. If the fans come out to the stadium to support me, I hold a deep responsibility to repay their trust and affection by scoring goals.”
Senaf also joins a growing cohort of Ethiopian talent in Tanzania, including former CBE teammate Aregash Kalsa. While the two will now line up as rivals on the pitch, their camaraderie off the field remains intact.
Senaf’s move to East Africa comes after an earlier trial period in the United States did not result in a permanent deal, an experience she views not as a setback, but as a pivotal learning moment that strengthened her resolve.
“In football, trial opportunities come and go,” Senaf reflected. “As a faithful person, I understand that it simply wasn’t God’s timing. However, the travel and international exposure taught me invaluable lessons about professionalism, adaptability, and mental resilience. Now, my full focus is entirely dedicated to my work here in Tanzania.”
Looking ahead, Senaf’s objectives with Simba Queens remain as ambitious as ever: silverware, continental progress, and setting standard for Ethiopian players abroad.
“I want to maintain my standard as a goal machine,” she asserted. “Having finished as the top scorer in both the Ethiopian Premier League and CECAFA competitions previously, my target with Simba Queens is to win league titles and go as far as possible in the CAF Women’s Champions League. Fans can expect an unyielding, resilient player who gives everything for the team.”
“Playing outside your home country is about more than personal development, you are representing your nation,” Senaf concluded. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to Ethiopian football fans and my new Simba supporters. I promise to work relentlessly to make Ethiopia proud.”
