In the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final between Simba SC and RS Berkane, which ended in a 1-1 draw, one name dominated headlines and the hearts of football fans – Joshua Mutale.
The Zambian midfielder, who was Simba’s hero in the first half, scored the only goal for the Msimbazi Reds, sparking hopes of a dramatic comeback. Most of Simba’s attacks began through him, as he appeared calm on the ball, made smart decisions, and had a strong influence in all of the team’s movements.
But that wasn’t all – Mutale also served as a secondary defender when Simba didn’t have the ball. Dropping back to help Fabrice Ngoma and Yusuph Kagoma in midfield, he ensured that Berkane’s key midfielder, Camara, was completely shut down and had no impact on the game.
However, the game took a turn after Yusuph Kagoma received a red card early in the second half. That incident disrupted coach Fadlu Davids’ tactical plans, forcing him to make urgent strategic adjustments.
As a result, Mutale’s place was taken by Kibu Denis — a substitution that perhaps gave Berkane room to breathe and reorganize. With the advantage of an extra player, they equalized in the dying minutes and were ultimately crowned champions with a 3-1 aggregate win, following their 2-0 victory in the first leg.
Despite Simba failing to lift the trophy, Mutale left the pitch having earned immense respect. He was named man of the match – an honor that came after a difficult start to the season, where he struggled to get game time or proper recognition. But now, every Simba fan agrees – it was no fluke that the club traveled all the way to Zambia to secure his signature.
RS Berkane will not forget Joshua Mutale – not just for his goal, but for the way he troubled them, led attacks, and gave everything for his team. And for Simba fans, this feels like just the beginning of what promises to be a success story for a midfielder with passion, discipline, and a relentless fighting spirit.
