Dar es Salaam. Simba SC are on the final countdown ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final second-leg clash against South African outfit Stellenbosch FC, set for Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 PM East African Time.
The Tanzanian giants head into the return leg with a slender 1-0 advantage, courtesy of Jean Charles Ahoua’s well-taken free-kick at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar last weekend.
With both form and experience tilting in their favour, the Msimbazi Reds carry a quiet sense of confidence into this decisive encounter.
Simba have a proven track record in continental competitions and boast a far richer pedigree than their South African opponents, who are debutants at this stage of the tournament.
Furthermore, Simba have been strong on the road, losing just two of their last ten away matches in all competitions — a stat that bodes well ahead of their visit to Durban.
A closer look at Stellenbosch’s campaign reveals notable defensive shortcomings.
They have conceded 12 goals in 13 CAF Confederation Cup matches — an average of nearly a goal per game — underlining issues in their backline.
Though they have scored 18 goals overall (12 at home and 6 away), the timing and manner of the goals they’ve conceded raise concerns.
Five of those have come from through balls delivered centrally or from the wings, highlighting their struggles in dealing with fast transitions and intelligent movement — an area Simba’s playmakers are well-equipped to exploit.
The back four of Fawaaz Basadien, Ismael Olivier Toure, Thabo Moloisane, and Enyinnaya Godswill have shown vulnerability when put under sustained pressure.
Their most glaring defensive collapse came in a 5-0 group-stage defeat to RS Berkane, where all five goals stemmed from poorly defended passes and disorganized set-piece marking.
This sets up an ideal scenario for Simba’s dynamic midfielders like Jean Charles Ahoua, Elie Mpanzu, and Kibu Denis, all of whom thrive on quick interchanges and exploiting defensive lapses.
Set pieces have been a persistent weakness for Stellenbosch.
They conceded three goals from dead-ball situations in the group stage — two from direct free-kicks against RS Berkane and one from Ahoua’s stunning effort in the first leg against Simba.
Given Ahoua’s ability on set pieces, this becomes a key tactical weapon for Simba.
The Tanzanians will likely look to draw fouls in dangerous areas and capitalize on Stellenbosch’s inconsistent marking during such situations.
Discipline under pressure is another area where Stellenbosch have faltered.
A clumsy challenge in the box against AS Vita in the group stage gifted their opponents a penalty and cost them a win in a 1-1 draw.
With Simba’s attackers known for their movement and trickery inside the penalty area, they could easily provoke another defensive misstep.
Additionally, Stellenbosch have shown vulnerability to long-range efforts — most notably in their 3-1 loss to RS Berkane, where the third goal was a thunderous strike from outside the box.
Simba’s midfielders, particularly Mpanzu and Ahoua, are more than capable of testing the Stellenbosch goalkeeper from distance.
In the first leg, Simba recorded 22 shots to Stellenbosch’s 5, underlining their attacking dominance and intent — something they’ll look to replicate in Durban.
Unlike Stellenbosch, Simba have demonstrated consistency in challenging away environments.
In their six away games in this season’s Confederation Cup, they have won two, drawn two, and lost two — scoring in four of those matches.
Their campaign began with a goalless draw against Al Ahli Tripoli in Libya, followed by a narrow 2-1 loss to CS Constantine in Algeria.
They responded with a crucial 1-0 win away to Diables Noirs in Congo and a thrilling 2-2 draw against Stade Malien in Mali — both performances showcasing their resilience.
Most notably, Simba recorded a commanding 3-1 victory over Sekhukhune United in Johannesburg — an experience that could prove vital as they prepare for another high-stakes battle on South African soil.
With momentum on their side and clear tactical advantages, Simba SC stand on the brink of reaching the CAF Confederation Cup final.
If they stay composed and capitalize on Stellenbosch’s known defensive issues, Sunday could mark another memorable chapter in the Msimbazi Reds’ continental journey.
