Simba SC now have an official opponent in the Second Preliminary Round of the CAF Champions League (CAFCL). The Reds of Msimbazi will face FC 15 de Agosto of Equatorial Guinea for a place in the group stage.
This follows the Equatorial Guinean side’s successful completion of their first-round assignment, eliminating Comoros’ Fomboni FC 5-0 on aggregate.
In the second leg played away from home recently, 15 de Agosto secured a 1-0 victory to confirm their place in the next round, where they will meet the Reds of Msimbazi.
Simba themselves reached this stage in emphatic fashion last month after eliminating Malawi’s Mighty Wanderers with a commanding 7-1 aggregate victory, winning 1-0 away before completing the job with a 6-1 home triumph.
According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) schedule, the first leg will be played away in Equatorial Guinea between October 16 and 18, 2026, while the return leg is expected to take place in Dar es Salaam a week later between October 23 and 25, 2026.
The winner over the two legs will advance directly to the group stage.
Profile of FC 15 de Agosto
Although they are not a major name with the imposing history that Simba have in African football, FC 15 de Agosto de Akonibe are a rapidly emerging side and should not be underestimated.
- Origins and Name: The club is based in the town of Akonibe in Equatorial Guinea. The team’s name ("15 de Agosto" – meaning August 15) has historical significance in the country, referring to Equatorial Guinea’s Constitution Day, which has been commemorated every August 15 since 1982.
- Current Status: The club are the reigning champions of the Equatorial Guinea Premier League, having won the title last season. Football in the country has been developing rapidly, with local clubs increasingly investing and competing in major CAF competitions.
- International Experience: They have participated in CAF competitions, including the CAF Confederation Cup and the CAF Champions League, at both men’s and women’s levels. In the first round of this season’s campaign, they demonstrated strong defensive and attacking discipline, scoring five goals without conceding against Fomboni FC.
- Technical Note: Unlike Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto, whom Simba faced and eliminated in the past, this 15 de Agosto is from Equatorial Guinea and features a squad made up largely of local players.
