Dar es Salaam. The next 90 of international club football carry immense significance for Tanzania’s representatives, as they seek to etch new records in continental competitions organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Five potential records are on the line, with Yanga SC and Simba competing in the CAF Champions League, while Azam FC and Singida Black Stars are battling in the CAF Confederation Cup.
In the first-leg matches played last weekend, all four Tanzanian sides were away from home.
They fought hard to earn positive results only Yanga suffered defeat, losing 1–0 to Silver Strikers of Malawi.
Simba dominated with a 3–0 win over Nsingizini Hotspurs of Eswatini, Azam beat KMKM of Zanzibar 2–0, and Singida Black Stars drew 1–1 against Flambeau du Centre in Burundi after initially taking the lead.
This coming weekend brings another crucial ninety minutes and the chance for Tanzanian clubs to make fresh history.
Simba’s Continental Dominance
Simba’s emphatic 3–0 away victory has already placed one foot in the CAF Champions League group stage. However, the team must approach the return leg with caution.
Since the 2018–2019 campaign, Simba have built a proud continental record.
The side, led by Dimitar Pantev with Seleman Matola as his assistant, will host Nsingizini Hotspurs on Sunday, October 26, 2025 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Simba only need to avoid defeat by more than two goals to qualify for the group stage which would be their seventh appearance in eight seasons.
Remarkably, in their last six group-stage campaigns, Simba have always advanced beyond that phase, never falling at the group level.
Last season (2024–2025), Simba set a new record by reaching the CAF Confederation Cup final for the first time, losing narrowly to RS Berkane.
Their journey in CAF competitions began in 2018–19 when they reached the Champions League quarter-finals.
Though they slipped in 2019–2020 eliminated by UD Songo on away goals Simba have since been a consistent force, reaching four consecutive quarter-finals between 2020 and 2024.
They have, however, learned painful lessons along the way. In 2021–2022, after winning 2–0 away to Jwaneng Galaxy, Simba were stunned 3–1 at home and eliminated on away goals (aggregate 3–3).
Fortunately, the then CAF rules allowed them to drop into the Confederation Cup play-offs, where they beat Red Arrows 4–2 on aggregate to advance.
That same rule later benefitted Yanga in 2022–2023, when after elimination from the Champions League, they entered the Confederation Cup, beat Club Africain 1–0, and reached the final against USM Alger losing only on away goals (2–2 aggregate).
“Winning 3–0 away is a great result,” said Coach Dimitar Pantev, reflecting on their first-leg performance.
“But we must be more confident when in possession and stay tactically disciplined. At times, we lost composure and started playing their style long balls and physical duels.
“In the second half, we used the spaces behind their defence and between full-backs and centre-backs, which worked well. Every player gave maximum effort, and this result gives us confidence but we must still respect the opponent because this is only half-time in the tie.”
Azam Eyeing Ibenge’s Historic Breakthrough
There’s a fine line separating Azam FC from achieving their long-awaited goal reaching the CAF group stage for the first time after ten unsuccessful attempts.
Now in their 11th continental campaign since the club’s establishment in 2004, Azam have positioned themselves perfectly after a 2–0 away win over KMKM.
Under coach Florent Ibenge and with a strong home record at Azam Complex, they appear poised to end their group-stage drought.
Since debuting in 2013, Azam have twice played in the Champions League (2015 and 2024–2025), bowing out both times in the preliminary rounds.
Their best runs in the Confederation Cup saw them reach the second round, but never the groups a frustrating story of “so close yet so far.”
Ibenge remains cautiously optimistic:
“Our aim is to advance to the next stage, but we must remain focused. The 2–0 win is important, yet it’s only the first half. We still have another decisive 90 minutes to accomplish what we’ve set out to do this season.”
Singida Chasing Namungo’s Footsteps
Outside of Simba and Yanga, no Tanzanian club has reached the CAF group stage since Namungo FC did so in the 2020–2021 Confederation Cup.
Formed in 2004, the Confederation Cup emerged from the merger of the African Cup Winners’ Cup (1975) and the CAF Cup (1992).
Since then, Tanzanian clubs like KMC, Mtibwa Sugar, Biashara United, Geita Gold, Singida Fountain Gate, Coastal Union, and Azam have all tried but only Namungo succeeded.
Singida Black Stars, under former Yanga coach Miguel Gamondi are now chasing that same feat.
Their 1–1 away draw against Flambeau du Centre was a valuable result, giving them the upper hand before the return leg.
Gamondi, who led Yanga to the Champions League group stage twice and once to the quarter-finals, believes his current squad has what it takes:
“Investment and readiness are key in these competitions. My players are experienced and motivated. We aim to make history for Singida and for Tanzanian football.”
Key players like Clatous Chama and Khalid Aucho who both thrived under Gamondi at Yanga, are now crucial for Singida.
Chama scored in the first leg and also registered an assist in the earlier round against Rayon Sports.
Yanga’s Calculated Comeback
Yanga’s 1–0 defeat in Malawi marked two turning points.
It ended their 315-day unbeaten run (10 months, 11 days) and led to the dismissal of coach Romain Folz.
Before that match, Yanga had gone 37 competitive games unbeaten, last losing on 7 December 2024 to MC Alger in the Champions League group stage.
Their loss to Silver Strikers on 18 October 2025 ended that streak and triggered change.
Patrick Mabedi, previously Folz’s assistant, now leads the team as interim coach. He took charge following the resignation of Manu Rodriguez, who stepped aside for health reasons.
Yanga’s mission is clear overturn the 1–0 deficit and qualify for the CAF group stage for the fourth consecutive season (2022–2023 Confederation Cup, 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 Champions League).
Should they succeed, it would mark the first time in their 90-year history (since 1935) to reach the group stage four seasons in a row.
A New Face for Tanzanian Football
Since Tanzania began fielding four clubs in CAF competitions in 2019–2020, the nation has never seen all four reach the group stage but this season, that possibility feels real.
For the past three years, at least two Tanzanian clubs have featured in CAF group stages:
2022–2023: Simba (Champions League, quarter-finals) and Yanga (Confederation Cup, finalists).
2023–2024: Both in the Champions League, both reaching the quarter-finals.
2024–2025: Simba (Confederation Cup finalists) and Yanga (Champions League group stage).
Now, as the decisive 90 minutes approach, the dream of seeing Simba, Yanga, Azam, and Singida Black Stars all in the group stages is no longer far-fetched it could mark a transformational moment in Tanzanian football history.
