Dar es Salaam. When the final whistle blew and Simba SC sealed their place in the semifinals of the CAF Confederation Cup, it wasn’t just a victory for the club—it was a defining moment for Tanzanian football.
Once again, the nation found itself on the continental map, proudly represented by a team that has fought with heart, resilience, and belief.
Simba’s qualification into the last four is not just about progressing in a tournament—it is about rewriting history.
Since the CAF Confederation Cup adopted its current knockout format for the top eight teams in 2017, Simba had never gone this far.
That drought is now over. The Msimbazi Street giants have broken the barrier, joining an elite class of African clubs that have made it to the semifinals under this more competitive structure.
This is only the second time a Tanzanian club has reached this stage of the competition, with the first being their archrivals, Young Africans (Yanga), in the 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup edition.
Yanga, too, made the nation proud by marching all the way to the final before losing on away goals to Algeria’s USM Alger.
It was a painful yet historic run that sparked hope across the country. Now, Simba have taken the baton—and they’re running with purpose.
Their journey to the semifinals has been marked by tactical discipline, strong performances, and a clear hunger to win.
As the only Tanzanian team still standing in African continental club competitions this season, Simba carry the nation's expectations and dreams.
The fixtures show that Simba will host Stellenbosch FC of South Africa in the semis. The first leg will take place at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on April 20, with the return fixture set for May 27 in Cape Town.
It’s a tough challenge, especially considering Stellenbosch FC eliminated the defending champions, Zamalek FC of Egypt, in the previous round.
Holding the Egyptians to a 0-0 draw at home and stunning them 1-0 away is proof enough that Simba must take this tie very seriously.
The technical bench must leave no room for error. Playing at home in the first leg offers a crucial advantage—one Simba must seize with authority.
A big-margin victory in Dar es Salaam could ease the pressure heading into the return leg in South Africa.
This is not the stage for cautious football. It’s the moment to show ambition, take calculated risks, and give fans a reason to believe that a final appearance—and perhaps even a trophy—is within reach.
Simba have already made history. But they have the quality, experience, and determination to make even more. Let this be the continuation of a greater story—not the climax.
For now, we applaud. Kudos, Simba! You have made us proud. Now go, and make us dream even bigger.
