Simba to face Al Masry in CAF Confederation Cup knockouts
What you need to know:
- Simba will have an advantage as they will start away, with the first leg scheduled for March 30 and the second leg on April 6.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s envoys in the CAF Confederation Cup, Simba, are set to face a tough road to qualification for the semifinals and finals of the tournament.
According to the draw conducted today, February 20, 2025 at the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) headquarters in Doha, the Msimbazi Street giants will begin their campaign against Egyptian side Al Masry in the quarterfinals. If they win, they will face the winner between Zamalek and Stellenbosch FC of South Africa.
Simba will have an advantage as they will start away, with the first leg scheduled for March 30 and the second leg on April 6. The semifinals will take place on April 20 (first leg) and April 27 (second leg).
The finals are set to be played on May 17 (first leg) and May 25 (second leg), with the venue yet to be decided, Tanzania, South Africa, or Egypt.
Simba vs Al Masry: A chance for revenge
Simba will be seeking revenge against Egyptian powerhouse Al Masry, who finished second in Group D with nine points.
The two teams last met in 2018 in the same competition, where Simba were eliminated on the away goals rule.
During that encounter, Simba managed a goalless draw in Cairo but were held to a 2-2 draw in Dar es Salaam, resulting in their elimination.
Simba vs Zamalek
If Simba advance to the semifinals and Zamalek eliminate Stellenbosch FC of South Africa, it will be a high-stakes encounter.
The match would serve as a rematch for Zamalek, who were eliminated by Simba in the 2003 CAF Champions League on 3-2 penalties. In that campaign, Simba won 1-0 at home, and Zamalek won 1-0 in Egypt. Zamalek, who were the defending champions at the time, suffered elimination on home soil.
This time around, Zamalek are again defending champions and will be looking to avoid a similar fate.
Simba vs Stellenbosch FC
Stellenbosch FC, making their debut in the CAF Confederation Cup, finished second in Group B with nine points. While they are new adversaries for Simba, their unpredictability and fearless approach could make them a tough opponent.
Other fixtures
The fixtures also show that Algerian sides CS Constantine and USM Alger will face off, while ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast will take on RS Berkane of Morocco.
