Tanzania Premier League side, Simba Sports Club have booked a place in the semi-final stage of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

After losing the first leg 2-0 to Al Masry, the Tanzanian side replied by winning by the same margin and went on to win 4-1 in penalty shoot-outs at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Wednesday.

Motivated by the home fans Simba SC kick started the match with a lot of intent attacking in numbers, but the Egyptian side held on strong. But after 2 minutes Elie Mpanzu Nkibisawala put Simba SC ahead with a hard shot from yards away that beat Al Masry goalkeeper Mahmoud Ahmed.

Ten minutes later Ugandan International Steven Dese Mukwala nodded in Simba SC’s second goal from close range.

After recess the visiting team reorganized themselves and defended I numbers to deny the home side more goals. During the penalty shoot-outs Simba SC’s goalkeeper Moussa Camara saved two penalties, while Jean Charles Ahoua, Mukwala, Kibu Denis Prosper and Shomari Salum Kapombe all scored for Simba SC to ensure the Tanzanian side sealed through 4-1.

“I thank my players for the hard work because after losing the first leg they knew that they hard to work harder to be able to qualify for the next stage,” said Simba SC’s head coach Fadlu Davids after the match.

Simba SC will face the winner between Stellenbosch SC (South Africa) and Zamalek (Egypt) at the semi-final stage.

Tanzania Premier League side Simba SC have suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Al Masry in the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAf Confederation Cup quarter final.

Abderrahim Deghmoum gave the Egyptian side the lead after 16 minutes at the New Suez Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The striker unleashed a hard shot that caught that the Simba SC goalkeeper Moussa Camara failed to time well.

Simba SC quickly reorganized and attacked with Leonel Ateba and Jean Charles Ahoua’s efforts stopped by Al Masry’s goalkeeper Mahmoud Gad.

After recess Simba SC again came all out to try and push forward with caution as the Al Masry side was quick in the counter attacks. Again Al Masry’s goalkeeper saved Elie Mpanzu’s hard shot after 49 minutes.

Defender Shomari Kapombe also had his effort parried back by the Al Masry goalkeeper. However, the hosts scored a second goal through substitute John Okoye as the clock ticked away to the end of the match.

Fadlu Davids, the Simba SC head coach said that although they failed to utilize the chances created at goal, they will go back and prepare for the return leg. “The quarter final is decided over two legs and now we must be ready for the home match,” added the coach.

Simba SC will have to be at their best when they host Al Masry in the return leg on April 9^th, 2025 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The head coach of Simba SC has said facing Al Masry SC in the quarter final stage of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup will not be an easy task.

After the draw was conducted yesterday in Qatar, the Tanzania Premier League side was drawn to face Egyptian side Al Masry SC.

Speaking after the draw Simba SC head coach Fadlu Davids has made it clear that at this level it is always very tricky and difficult because all the teams are good. “Facing Al Masry will not be easy. But we had pre-season in Egypt and we know what to expect when we play the first leg in Egypt,” explained the head coach.

Fadlu Davids made it clear that it was very important for Simba SC to top the group so that they play the first leg of the quarter final away from home.

The two-legged quarter-final matches will be played on April 2 and April 9 April, 2025.

In the other matches Cup holders Zamalek SC of Egypt will face Stellenbosch FC (South Africa), ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast) take on Morocco’s RS Berkane, and CS Constantine battle USM Alger in an Algerian derby.

The winner of the tie between Simba SC and Al Masry, and the clash between Zamalek SC and Stellenbosch FC, while the second semi-final will see the winner between RS Berkane and ASEC Mimosas battle the winner between USM Alger and CS Constantine.

Quarter-Finals fixture

Stellenbosch FC (South Africa) vs Zamalek SC (Egypt)

ASEC Mimosas (Ivory Coast) vs RS Berkane (Morocco)

CS Constantine (Algeria) vs USM Alger (Algeria)

Al Masry (Egypt) vs Simba SC (Tanzania)

Tanzania Premier League side Simba SC have topped Group A in the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

Coach Fadlu Davids team silenced Algeria’s CS Constantine 2-0 in their last Group A match played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

Simba SC who qualified for the quarter final stage a week ago after picking a crucial 1-1 away draw against Bravos do Maquis

Scored in the second half through Kibu Denis and Leonel Ateba.

The win sent Simba SC top of Group A with 13 points, while CS Constantine finished second with 12 points.

“It was not a very easy match since we played without fans. But I thank my players for pushing hard and finding the goals in the second half,” said Simba SC coach Fadlu Davids after the match.

Simba SC together with CS Constantine join other teams that have qualified for the quarter-finals; RS Berkane (Morocco), Stellenbosch FC (South Africa), USM Alger (Alger) and Zamalek (Egypt).

Last season Simba SC together with Young Africans SC reached the quarter-final stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.