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Che Malone: We’ll raise Tanzania’s flag high against Berkane
Simba players during a recent training session at the KMC Complex in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Che Malone acknowledged the difficulty of the away fixture but expressed confidence that Simba can rise to the occasion and deliver a strong performance.
Dar es Salaam. Simba SC’s defensive stalwart and captain, Che Malone Fondoh, has spoken with pride and determination after leading the Tanzanian giants to their first-ever CAF Confederation Cup final, calling the achievement a historic milestone for both the club and the nation.
The weight of a nation now rests on Simba’s shoulders as they prepare for a tough two-legged final clash against Morocco’s RS Berkane.
The first leg will be held this Saturday, May 17, at Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco, with the decisive return leg set for May 25 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 7pm.
Che Malone acknowledged the difficulty of the away fixture but expressed confidence that Simba can rise to the occasion and deliver a strong performance.
“We know the first leg in Morocco will be challenging, but we are going there with a clear mission—to get a good result and bring it home,” said Malone. “This is a mission of redemption, prestige, and pride—not only for Simba fans but for Tanzanian football as a whole.”
For Malone and his teammates, this campaign represents more than just a football tournament—it symbolizes Tanzania’s growing ambition to stake its claim among Africa’s footballing elite.
He emphasized that while reaching the final is an accomplishment in itself, the team’s ambition goes beyond appearances they want to bring the trophy to Tanzania. A title win would earn Simba a $2 million (Sh5.4 billion) reward and continental bragging rights.
Even as runners-up, the club would receive $1 million (Sh2.7 billion), but for Simba, the ultimate reward is writing their name in African football history. Their opponents, RS Berkane, are no strangers to the big stage.
The Moroccan side lifted the Confederation Cup in 2020 and 2022 and recently clinched their domestic league title. They boast a well-drilled squad featuring experienced stars such as Oussama Lamlioui and Issoufou Dayo.
“This isn't just about reaching the final,” Malone said passionately. “It’s about lifting the Tanzanian flag high and keeping it there. We’re playing for Tanzania, for Simba, and for every young dreamer who believes in this team.”
This final reignites a previous rivalry. In the 2021/22 group stage, both teams claimed a win Berkane triumphed 2-0 at home, while Simba responded with a 1-0 victory in Dar. This time, with the title on the line, the stakes are much higher.
Simba also remain in a tight Mainland Premier League title race, trailing rivals Yanga by just one point with four games in hand. The coming weeks could be the most defining period in the club’s storied history.
