Despite losing 2-0 away to RS Berkane of Morocco in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final (CAF CC), the Msimbazi Reds – Simba SC – still have reasons to believe that winning the title is possible.
Statistics show that their home record this season gives them enough reason to believe there is still every chance to write a new chapter of history this Sunday, whether at the Mkapa Stadium or New Amaan in Zanzibar.
Simba have won all six home matches they've played this season from the second preliminary round through to the semi-final. Here's the list of their home victories:
Second Preliminary Round: Simba 3-1 Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya)
Group Stage: Simba 1-0 Bravos (Angola)
Group Stage: Simba 2-1 Sfaxien (Tunisia)
Group Stage: Simba 2-0 CS Constantine (Algeria)
Quarter-Final: Simba 2-0 Al Masry (Egypt)
Semi-Final: Simba 1-0 Stellenbosch (South Africa)
Across these six matches, Simba have scored a total of 11 goals and conceded just one, confirming both the strength of their defense and the firepower of their attack when playing at home.
RS Berkane, despite being a strong team, do not have an intimidating away record this season:
They lost to CS Constantine (Algeria)
They drew one away match
They have won 4 out of their 6 matches in this competition
History Is on Simba’s Side
Simba are no strangers to overturning deficits in African competitions. For example:
1979: They lost 4-0 at home to Mufulira Wanderers (Zambia), then went away and won 5-0, advancing 5-4 on aggregate.
2024 (this season): They lost 2-0 away to Al Masry, then won 2-0 at home and advanced via a 4-1 penalty shootout.
2018-19: Lost 2-1 away to Nkana FC, then won 3-1 at home to qualify for the group stage.
New Challenge: New Amaan Stadium
Contrary to expectations, the return leg may not be played at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. There is a high chance it will be held at New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, a decision that Simba’s coach, Fadlu Davids, criticized, saying CAF denied Simba the chance to use their true home ground.
“Playing in a stadium that holds 60,000 fans like Mkapa is not the same as playing in Amaan, which only accommodates 12,000. This affects team morale, but we still believe we’ll fight,” said Fadlu after the first leg in Morocco.
Fadlu emphasized that the game is far from over, and Simba have every reason to prepare well and aim to make history.
Simba need a 3-0 win to lift the trophy outright or 2-0 to take the match to penalties. With their strong home record and history of overturning deficits, Simba fans have every reason to believe it is possible
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