Simba storm into CAF Confederation Cup final

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian football giants, Simba SC, roared into the history books today, April 27, 2025, by qualifying for the final of the CAF Confederation Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 aggregate victory over South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

This marks the first time Simba have reached the final of the competition since the introduction of the new format in 2021.

It also represents the second time a Tanzanian team has reached the final, following their fierce rivals Young Africans (Yanga), who made it to the 2022/2023 final but breathtakingly lost the title on away goals after a 2-1 defeat in Dar es Salaam and a 1-0 victory in Algiers.

Simba will now face the winner between Morocco’s RS Berkane and Algeria’s CS Constantine.

The first leg of the final is scheduled for May 17 in Morocco, while the second leg is set to be played either at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar or at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, depending on the completion of renovations.

Regardless of the final outcome, Simba are already guaranteed a major financial boost: $2 million (approximately Sh5.4 billion) if they lift the trophy or $1 million (around Sh2.7 billion) if they finish runners-up.

The match saw Stellenbosch FC come out swinging, desperate to find an early goal to level the aggregate score.

The South Africans launched quick, dangerous attacks in the opening minutes, but Simba’s rock-solid defense — led by Chamou Karaboue, Abdulrazack Hamza, Shomari Kapombe, Mohammed "Tshabalala" Hussein, and the outstanding goalkeeper Moussa Camara — stood firm under pressure.

Camara, particularly, was immense, making several critical saves within the first nine minutes to keep Simba’s dreams alive.

After weathering the early storm, Simba began to settle. In the 11th minute, the visitors were awarded a penalty by Egyptian referee Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour after Kibu Dennis was fouled inside the box.

However, after a VAR review, the decision was overturned — the first of three major VAR interventions in the dramatic encounter.

VAR drama: Stellenbosch denied again and again
The second VAR incident arrived in the 54th minute, when Stellenbosch appealed for a penalty after a scramble in Simba’s box. Once again, VAR ruled against the South African side.

The final heartbreak for Stellenbosch came in the 78th minute when Genino Palace thought he had scored the opener, only for VAR to rule the goal offside after a tense review.

Simba, displaying calmness, discipline, and tactical maturity, absorbed all the pressure and looked increasingly dangerous on the counterattack as the clock ticked down.

When the final whistle blew, Simba players, coaches, and traveling fans erupted into wild celebrations, marking a historic achievement not only for the club but for Tanzanian football as a whole.

Now, Simba turn their attention to the final, aiming to become the first Tanzanian club to lift the CAF Confederation Cup under the new format — a dream that feels closer than ever.

Their opponents will be determined after the semifinal clash between RS Berkane and CS Constantine — but one thing is clear: Simba SC have already made their mark in African football history.