Dar es Salaam. Simba SC’s turbulent season took another painful twist after being knocked out of the FA Cup following a 3-1 semifinal defeat to Singida Black Stars on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Tanzanite Kwaraa Stadium in Manyara.
The result denied Simba a highly anticipated final showdown with arch-rivals Yanga SC — a clash many fans had been eagerly awaiting.
Instead, the Msimbazi giants bowed out quietly, ‘escaping’ what could have been a high-stakes and emotionally charged finale against their traditional rivals.
This latest setback comes just a week after their heartbreak in the CAF Confederation Cup final, where they fell to Morocco’s RS Berkane.
The back-to-back defeats have left Simba’s supporters disheartened, as the club continues to fall short on big occasions.
For Singida Black Stars, however, the evening was historic.
The victory booked their first-ever spot in the FA Cup final — a major milestone for the club — where they will now face defending champions Yanga SC between June 26 and 28 in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the domestic cup campaign.
The match began at a frenetic pace, with Simba pressing high and showing early attacking intent.
But it was Singida who struck first, capitalizing on Simba’s defensive vulnerabilities.
In the 17th minute, Jonathan Sowah latched onto a sharp through ball from Arthur Bada, beat Che Malone, and fired a precise left-footed shot past goalkeeper Moussa Camara.
Just over 10 minutes later, Simba’s woes deepened.
Camara was forced off after a collision with Sowah and replaced by Ally Salim.
The substitute struggled to settle in, and in the 34th minute, his errant pass was intercepted by Emmanuel Keyekeh, who made it 2-0 with a composed finish.
Simba attempted to regroup after the break, but any hopes of a comeback were swiftly dashed.
Three minutes into the second half, Keyekeh struck again — this time with a stunning direct free-kick that left Salim rooted and extended Singida’s lead to 3-0.
Simba finally got on the scoresheet in the 68th minute, when Jean Charles Ahoua curled in a brilliant free-kick after a foul on Elie Mpanzu.
Despite increasing pressure in the closing stages, the Msimbazi side couldn’t break through Singida’s disciplined defense again.
Both teams made several substitutions.
Simba brought on Ally Salim, Debora Fernandes, Mohamed Hussein, and Chamou Karaboue, while Singida introduced Marouf Tchakei, Anthony Tra Bi, and Kelvin Nashoni to maintain their shape and tempo.
With this emphatic win, Singida Black Stars now prepare for the biggest match in their club’s history — a mouth-watering FA Cup final against Yanga SC, who defeated JKT Tanzania in the other semifinal.
Meanwhile, Simba must confront a bitter reality: a season filled with promise has ended in disappointment, with growing calls from fans and analysts for serious reflection and change ahead of the next campaign.
