Five key talking points as Simba take on Berkane

Dar es Salaam. NOTHING ELSE MATTERS—ONLY VICTORY. That’s the unified cry from fans, supporters, and members of Tanzania’s football giants, Simba SC.

As the team prepares to battle Morocco’s RS Berkane in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final, the message is clear: bring the trophy home.

Simba will face RS Berkane this Sunday at the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar at 4:00 PM (EAT), required to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg held in Berkane, Morocco, last Saturday.

Only a win by two or more goals without conceding will give Simba a lifeline to claim their first-ever continental title — and with it, a place in African football history.

This high-stakes clash will be officiated by Dahane Beida from Mauritania and is generating intense anticipation, especially among Simba supporters who dream of seeing their club lift a continental trophy for the first time.

Simba’s journey to this final has already made headlines, but the final step remains: conquering Berkane and rewriting history in front of a home crowd, including the President of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi.

The son of former President Ali Hassan Mwinyi—who was the chief guest at Simba’s last continental final in 1993—is expected to grace the event in the Isles.

Here are five heavyweights of context and motivation that make this final more than just a football match:

1. Pride and honour

Simba SC is not just any club. It's a cornerstone of East African football, with a decorated history that includes being the first Tanzanian team to reach the semifinals of the African Cup of Champions Clubs (now the CAF Champions League) in 1974 and the CAF Cup final in 1993.

Simba’s appearance in this final marks only their second in a CAF competition final since the Confederation Cup was established in 2004 by merging the CAF Cup and Winners' Cup.

Victory would see Simba match the historic feat of the Kenyan Gor Mahia, who in 1987 won the Cup Winners’ Cup, becoming the only East African team to win a continental title.

In that year, Gor Mahia defeated Tunisia’s Esperance on away goals after a 2-2 draw away and a 1-1 draw at home.

Simba’s East African rivals, Yanga SC, came close in the 2022-23 season, falling to Algeria’s USM Alger on away goals after a 2-2 aggregate score.

Simba wants not just to emulate, but to surpass, that milestone and finally bring home a CAF trophy — once and for all, ending the jibes and comparisons with their rivals.

2. Club stature and regional dominance

Ranked fourth among African clubs, Simba stands above Berkane, who are the ninth on the same list.

The rankings are dominated by powerhouses like Al Ahly (Egypt), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), and Esperance (Tunisia).

Following Simba in the top 10 are Zamalek, Wydad Casablanca, Pyramids, USM Alger, RS Berkane, and CR Belouizdad.

For Simba, losing this final to a lower-ranked side would be a blow to their continental reputation.

It’s a test of their elite status in the CECAFA region, especially against a team with two Confederation Cup titles and a recent Moroccan league championship under their belt.

Simba has shown resilience before, notably overcoming a 2-0 away loss to Al Masry in the quarterfinals before winning 2-0 at home and progressing via penalties.

They will need a repeat of that performance — and then some — to beat Berkane.

3. Financial incentives

Beyond the glory, there’s a mountain of money at stake. Just by reaching the final, Simba has secured $1 million (approx. Sh2.7 billion).

But if they win, they’ll bag $2 million — about Sh5.4 billion, the sum alone nearly covers their full squad budget for the season, as declared during the club’s general assembly in October.

Additionally, individual incentives are in play. Players have been promised a combined Sh1 billion if they lift the trophy.

There’s also the ‘Mama’s Goal’ bonus — Sh30 million per goal — plus personal pledges from club patrons like Azim Dewji, who has offered millions for every goal and assist.

4. Raising the club’s global profile

A win would elevate Simba’s global appeal because successful clubs across the world attract sponsors, investors, and talented players.

Simba could become a destination for international talent and a lucrative partner for local and global businesses.

Yanga’s appearance in the CAF Confederation Cup final increased their visibility, enabling them to transfer star player Fiston Mayele to Egypt’s Pyramids FC.

A similar success for Simba could lead to the sale of their top talents to Europe, the Middle East, or bigger African clubs.

Past transfers like Clatous Chama (to Berkane) and Luis Miquissone (to Al Ahly) show the potential.

Sunday’s final could be a career-defining moment for players like Kibu Denis, Jean Ahoua, and Mohamed Hussein “Tshabalala.”

5. The journey to the final

Simba’s campaign began in the second round against Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli, winning 3-1 on aggregate (0-0 away, 3-1 home) to qualify for the group stage.

Placed in Group A, Simba opened with a 1-0 win over Bravos do Maquis, then lost 2-1 to CS Constantine.

They bounced back with two wins over Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien (2-1 home, 1-0 away), drew 1-1 away at Bravos, and sealed group victory with a 2-0 win over Constantine.

In the quarterfinals, they lost 2-0 away to Al Masry but overturned the result at home and won 4-1 on penalties.

The semifinal saw them edge Stellenbosch of South Africa 1-0 at home, with Jean Ahoua scoring the only goal, followed by a goalless draw away to secure a final spot.

Berkane’s journey included a 7-0 aggregate thrashing of Dajde (Benin), dominant wins over Stellenbosch (5-0 home, 3-1 away), and victories over Luanda and Stade Malien.

In the quarterfinals, they beat Asec Mimosas 1-0 in both legs and then overwhelmed CS Constantine 4-0 at home before losing 1-0 away.

What Coach Fadlu said?

Simba’s head coach, Fadlu Davids, remains optimistic: “It won’t be an easy match, but we’ve identified our mistakes from the first leg.”

“On Sunday, we’ll approach the game differently. Our mission is clear — overturn the two goals and go for the win at home. It’s not over yet. We still have 90 minutes,” he added.

Captain ‘Tshabalala’ echoed the sentiment: “Every player and Simba supporter wants this match.”

“We want to write our names in gold in the history books and be remembered as the team that brought home the CAF trophy,” he added.

Final numbers

•             Sh5.4 billion: Prize for the CAF Confederation Cup winner

•             Sh2.7 billion: Secured by reaching the final

•             Three goals each: Top scorers Kibu Denis and Jean Ahoua

•             Zero: Number of Tanzanian clubs that have won a CAF continental title

Simba has the talent, history, and support to pull off what would be one of the greatest comebacks in African football history. Now all that remains is 90 minutes of heart, grit, and belief.

The time is now. Will Simba roar or whimper? The continent waits.