Heartbreak for Simba as RS Berkane lift CAF Confederation Cup title
What you need to know:
- The Moroccan giants were awarded US$2 million (approximately Sh5.4 billion) for winning the title, while Simba took home US$1 million (about Sh2.7 billion) as runners-up
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s representative in the CAF Confederation Cup, Simba SC, failed to capitalize on their home advantage today, May 25, 2025 to secure a historic continental title for the second time, after a 1-1 draw with Morocco’s RS Berkane at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.
The result handed RS Berkane a 3-1 aggregate victory, having previously won the first leg 2-0 at home in Morocco.
The Moroccan giants were awarded US$2 million (approximately Sh5.4 billion) for winning the title, while Simba took home US$1 million (about Sh2.7 billion) as runners-up.
This was Simba’s second appearance in a continental final. In 1993, the Msimbazi Street-based club reached the final of the then CAF Cup but lost 2-0 on aggregate to Stella Adjamé of Ivory Coast.
The first leg in Abidjan ended in a goalless draw, but Simba fell 2-0 in the return leg at the then National Stadium (now Uhuru Stadium) in Dar es Salaam.
The guest of honour for that final was the then President, the late Ali Hassan Mwinyi.
The final was graced by Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, who presented the trophy to RS Berkane captain Issoufou Dayo.
He was accompanied by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Patrice Motsepe.
Simba started the match strongly and took the lead in the 17th minute when Joshua Mutale found the back of the net after a clever pass from Elie Mpanzu.
The early goal stunned RS Berkane, who immediately shifted their approach, opting for a more defensive strategy to absorb Simba’s pressure and protect their aggregate lead.
The Moroccan side relied heavily on counter-attacks and set-pieces to challenge Simba’s goal, but the home team's defense stood resilient, thwarting several dangerous chances.
However, Simba suffered a major setback in the 50th minute when defensive midfielder Yusuf Kagoma was shown a second yellow card by Mauritanian referee Beida Dahane, reducing the team to ten men.
Despite being a man down, Simba maintained control of the game and thought they had doubled their lead in the 73rd minute.
But the goal, scored by Steven Mukwala, was ruled out by VAR for offside, dashing the hopes of a comeback.
RS Berkane then capitalized on a defensive lapse in stoppage time. In the 90+3rd minute, Malian midfielder Soumaila Sidibe scored the equalizer after Simba defender Valentine Nouma failed to clear the ball in a dangerous area.
The late goal ended Simba’s dream of overturning the first-leg deficit and forced them to settle for a draw on the night and a 3-1 defeat on aggregate.
