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Why Simba must roar louder than ever to conquer Berkane
What you need to know:
- This final will mark the fourth clashes between Simba and RS Berkane, and the rivalry is building into a fierce continental showdown. Their previous encounters tell a story of revenge, resilience, and rivalry.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s football giants, Simba are on the cusp of rewriting history. Next month, they will battle Morocco’s formidable Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RS Berkane) for the CAF Confederation Cup crown — a title that has eluded them until now.
But make no mistake to seize continental glory, Simba must summon every ounce of strength, refine every tactic, and unleash the full force of their ambition. The path to triumph demands more than skill; it calls for heart, grit, and an unbreakable will to win.
The battleground is set. The first leg will take place on May 17 at Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco.
The return leg is scheduled for May 25 at the iconic Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7pm East Africa Time, under the bright lights and the watchful eyes of millions of passionate football fans.
Beyond glory, Simba are also playing for a significant financial prize. Should they lift the prestigious trophy, they will pocket a staggering $2m (Sh5.4 billion).
Even if they finish runners-up, they will still walk away with $1 million (Sh2.7 billion). However, for Simba and their loyal supporters, no amount of money can compare to the honour of conquering Africa and etching their name in the continent’s football history.
This final will mark the fourth clashes between Simba and RS Berkane, and the rivalry is building into a fierce continental showdown. Their previous encounters tell a story of revenge, resilience, and rivalry.
In the 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup group stage, RS Berkane humbled Simba 2-0 on February 27, 2022, at the Stade Municipal de Berkane. Mauritanian midfielder Adama Ba broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, and Moroccan striker Charki El Bahri added the second in the 41st minute after a brilliant assist from defender Hamza El Moussaoui. Simba, however, roared back in the return leg played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on March 3, 2022. It was Pape Ousmane Sakho who delivered the decisive blow, scoring just before halftime after an exquisite pass from veteran striker Meddie Kagere, sealing a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Wekundu wa Msimbazi. Both clubs advanced to the knockout
stage, but their journeys diverged sharply. Simba were heartbreakingly eliminated by South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, while RS Berkane went on to eliminate Egypt’s Al Masry by the away goal rule after a 2-2 aggregate draw. RS Berkane then crushed TP Mazembe with a 4-2 aggregate score before eventually defeating Orlando Pirates on penalties to lift the 2022 Confederation Cup title.
Fast forward to today, RS Berkane are looking even stronger. They currently lead the Moroccan Botola Pro League with 60 points from 26 matches, having suffered only two losses. One more victory and they will officially be crowned domestic champions, further proving their strength, consistency, and winning mentality. In contrast, Simba sit second in the Tanzanian Mainland Premier League standings with 57 points from 22 matches, trailing behind arch-rivals Young Africans (Yanga), who have 70 points from 26 games. Nevertheless, Simba have four matches in hand and remain very much in the race for the league title.
However, balancing two intense campaigns — chasing domestic glory while gunning for continental success — requires supreme fitness, unwavering focus, and relentless fighting spirit. This is exactly why Simba must stretch every muscle, physically and mentally, to meet the immense demands of the Confederation Cup final.
RS Berkane’s firepower is frightening. Their leading striker, Oussama Lamlioui, has already scored nine goals this season and is ranked second among the league’s top scorers. Defensive powerhouse Issoufou Dayo from Burkina Faso has chipped in with three goals, while Moroccan attacker Youssef Zghoudi has also found the net three times, including critical strikes in the Confederation Cup.
Senegalese forward Paul Bassène has added another three goals to their tally, giving RS Berkane an arsenal of dangerous players ready to pounce.
The date with destiny looms larger than ever: May 17 and May 25 will be nights where heroes are made and legends are born.
Victory will not come easily, but with the hearts of millions behind them and the spirit of true warriors within them, Simba SC can dare to believe in greatness.
