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CAF final for Mkapa Stadium as Samia boosts goal offer
What you need to know:
- The first leg is scheduled for May 17 at Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco, setting the stage for a thrilling home return where Simba hopes to lift their first-ever continental title.
Dar es Salaam. Simba SC will host Morocco’s RS Berkane at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final on May 25, The Citizen can confirm.
Meanwhile, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has offered Sh30 million for every goal Simba will score in the two-legged final, chief government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa told The Citizen yesterday.
The Head of State’s offer for the semi-finals, which Simba won 1-0 on aggregate, was Sh20 million per goal.
The first leg is scheduled for May 17 at Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco, setting the stage for a thrilling home return where Simba hopes to lift their first-ever continental title.
The confirmation was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, during an interview with The Citizen yesterday.
Msigwa spoke after questions arose regarding Simba’s hosting venue for the second leg, particularly as the Msimbazi Street giants played their semifinal first leg against Stellenbosch FC at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.
Msigwa assured fans that the ongoing renovation work at the 60,000-seater Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is progressing well and will be completed in time to host the historic final.
"We commend Simba for qualifying for the final of the CAF Confederation Cup. We are very proud, and this shows that Tanzania is now a real competitor aiming for silverware, not just participation," said Msigwa.
He added that, just as the government provided full support to Simba ahead of their semifinal clash in South Africa, similar—or even greater—support will be extended for the final.
"This time, we want the trophy to come to our soil for the first time, after narrowly missing it in the 2022/2023 season when Young Africans (Yanga) lost the title on away goals," he said, recalling Yanga's 2-1 home defeat and 1-0 away victory against USM Alger.
Meanwhile, the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF) has also congratulated Simba on their historic achievement.
Speaking to The Citizen, ZFF Secretary General Hussein Ahmada Vuai expressed pride in Simba’s success and challenged the team to complete the mission by winning the trophy.
"We are proud to have been part of Simba’s journey after hosting their first semifinal leg at the New Amaan Complex. We provided maximum support, and we are delighted that Simba’s decisive goal, which secured their place in the final, was scored at our stadium," said Vuai.
He further highlighted that Simba’s progress in the competition has significantly boosted football morale in Zanzibar and inspired many young players.
"We eagerly await the final and hope to see Simba bring the trophy home for the first time in history," he said.
