Dar es Salaam. Morocco’s RS Berkane have secured their third CAF Confederation Cup title following a 1-1 draw against Tanzania’s Simba SC in the second leg of the final, held at the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
The result ensured a 3-1 aggregate victory for the Moroccan side, who had previously won the competition in 2020 and 2022.
Simba SC, under the guidance of Coach Fadlu Davids, entered the match aiming to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg.
Their aspirations were ignited in the 17th minute when Joshua Mutale found the back of the net, courtesy of an assist from Elie Mpanzu, giving the Tanzanian side an early lead.
However, the momentum shifted early in the second half when Simba’s midfielder Yusuph Kagoma received a second yellow card in the 50th minute, resulting in his dismissal and leaving the team with ten players.
Despite being a man down, Simba continued to press forward. In the 73rd minute, Steven Mukwala appeared to have doubled their lead, but his goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review, a decision that dampened the home crowd’s spirits.
RS Berkane capitalised on their numerical advantage, and in the 79th minute, Soumaila Sidibe scored the equaliser with a precise right-footed shot from a tight angle, effectively sealing the aggregate victory for the Moroccan side.
This triumph marks RS Berkane’s third CAF Confederation Cup title, reinforcing their status as a formidable force in African club football.
For Simba SC, the loss is a significant disappointment, especially given the support of their fans and the advantage of playing on home soil.
The team’s efforts were commendable, but the early red card and disallowed goal proved pivotal in the final outcome.
As the curtain falls on the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup, RS Berkane’s consistent performances and resilience throughout the tournament have been duly rewarded, adding another chapter to their growing legacy in African football.
