Simba brace for crucial CAF, premiership assignments
What you need to know:
- The Msimbazi Street giants must navigate a challenging schedule that could determine their fate both internationally and domestically
Dar es Salaam. Simba SC are entering a defining phase of their 2024/2025 campaign, with back-to-back crucial fixtures in both the CAF Confederation Cup and the Tanzania Mainland Premier League.
The Msimbazi Street giants must navigate a challenging schedule that could determine their fate both internationally and domestically.
The immediate challenge for Simba are their second-leg semifinal clash against South African side Stellenbosch FC in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The match is scheduled to take place this Sunday at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, kicking off at 4pm East African Time.
Simba go into the match with a slim advantage, needing only a draw to qualify for their first-ever CAF Confederation Cup final, a historic milestone that would further solidify their continental presence.
However, the journey doesn’t end there. Just days after the Durban showdown, Simba will shift focus to a punishing run of four must-win matches in the Tanzania Mainland Premier League, to be played within a span of just 12 days.
The demanding schedule kicks off on May 2 against Mashujaa FC at the KMC Complex.
Three days later, on May 5, Simba will face JKT Tanzania at the Major General Isamuhyo Stadium.
The schedule intensifies with a clash against Pamba FC on May 8, before the team takes on KMC FC on May 11, both matches to be played at the KMC Complex.
The run concludes on May 14 with a tough fixture against Singida Black Stars, also at the KMC Complex.
The fixtures are not just regular league games—they are critical to Simba’s pursuit of the league title and closing the gap on their traditional rivals, Young Africans (Yanga SC).
As things stand, Simba are second on the league table with 57 points, 13 points behind leaders Yanga, who have collected 70 points from 26 matches.
Simba, however, have played fewer matches, and should they win all four upcoming games, they would reduce the deficit to just one point, leveling their total number of matches with Yanga.
However, any slip-up in the form of a draw or loss could give Yanga a clear path to their fourth consecutive league title and a record-extending 31st championship in club history.
Simba’s head coach and technical staff now face the difficult task of rotating the squad wisely, managing fatigue, and maintaining peak performance in both competitions.
