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Simba out to roar in Berkane as CAF Confederation Cup final kicks off
What you need to know:
The match is scheduled to take place at Berkane Municipal Stadium, kicking off at 10 pm East Africa Time. Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho will officiate the encounter, assisted by Boris Marlaise Ditsoga (Gabon) and Eric Ayimavo Ayamr Ulrich (Benin), with Patrice Tanguy Mebiame (Gabon) serving as the fourth official
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s CAF Confederation Cup envoys, Simba SC, will today, May 17, 2025, play the crucial first leg of the final against Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RS Berkane) of Morocco.
The match is scheduled to take place at Berkane Municipal Stadium, kicking off at 10 pm East Africa Time. Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho will officiate the encounter, assisted by Boris Marlaise Ditsoga (Gabon) and Eric Ayimavo Ayamr Ulrich (Benin), with Patrice Tanguy Mebiame (Gabon) serving as the fourth official.
Atcho brings good memories for Simba, having officiated their 2-0 home victory over Wydad AC in the CAF Champions League group stage on December 19, 2023.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team will be led by Abongile Tom from South Africa, with support from Maria Packuita Cynquela Rivet of Mauritania and Zambia’s Diana Chikotesha serving as the second assistant VAR.
Simba becomes the second Tanzanian team to reach the final of the CAF Confederation Cup in its current format, following Young Africans (Yanga), who played in the 2022/2023 final and lost on away goals to Algeria’s USM Alger. Yanga lost 2-1 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium before winning 1-0 at Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers on June 3, 2023.
Simba will be aiming for a positive result in today’s away fixture to ease their task in the return leg, scheduled for May 25, 2025, at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar—where the winner will be crowned champions.
This is Simba’s second appearance in a continental final. Their previous appearance came in 1993 when they reached the CAF Cup final and lost 2-0 on aggregate to Ivorian side Stella Club d'Adjamé. That loss at the Uhuru Stadium (then the National Stadium) was particularly painful for Simba fans, as the team had drawn 0-0 away and needed just a home win to claim the title.
Now, history may be rewritten. Simba again have the advantage of playing the first leg away and finishing the tie at home—a similar setup to their 1993 campaign.
Simba reached this year’s CAF Confederation Cup final after narrowly defeating South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC 1-0 on aggregate. RS Berkane booked their spot by overcoming Algeria’s CS Constantine with a 4-1 aggregate win.
Much has changed since Simba last reached a CAF club final 32 years ago. This long wait has ignited hope among fans that the Msimbazi Street giants can finally lift their first continental club title.
On the pitch, head coach Fadlu Davids and his technical team have focused on ensuring a solid defensive performance and capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
“We need a good result in this first leg against Berkane, as it will set the tone for the return leg at home. We’re fully prepared for this challenge,” said Davids.
“Pressure is inevitable at this stage, but we are not letting it distract us. Our focus and mindset are on executing what needs to be done on the pitch.”
Massive rewards at stake
If Simba wins the title, the players and technical staff are set to receive Sh1 billion from the club’s management. In addition, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, through the Goli la Mama campaign, has promised Sh30 million for every goal Simba scores across the two legs.
