Simba’s final stand against RS Berkane

ZANZIBAR: SIMBA enter the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final facing a 2-0 deficit against a well-organised RS Berkane side. The match will take place at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar today. Simba’s path to the final has been one of resilience, grit and moments of tactical brilliance. From the very beginning …

ZANZIBAR: SIMBA enter the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final facing a 2-0 deficit against a well-organised RS Berkane side.

The match will take place at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar today. Simba’s path to the final has been one of resilience, grit and moments of tactical brilliance.

From the very beginning in the second preliminary round, Simba faced adversity. Their goalless draw away to Al Ahli Tripoli was followed by a convincing 3-1 win in Dar es Salaam. Notably, Simba conceded first in that game, indicating a recurring theme in their campaign — the tendency to concede early, which forces them to chase matches.

In the group stage, Simba showed strength at home, registering a clean sheet against Bravos do Maquis and a solid 2-0 win over CS Constantine. The most notable performance came in the 2-1 victory over CS Sfaxien, where Simba again conceded early, this time in the third minute, before launching a comeback and scoring a late winner.

While these results display Simba’s mental resilience and capacity to recover from setbacks, they also reveal a pattern of slow starts that could be punished by a team as clinical as RS Berkane.

Away from home in the group stage, Simba were less consistent. They lost 2-1 to CS Constantine despite leading at the break and conceded both goals in the opening five minutes of the second half — an indication that they sometimes lose focus at critical transition points in the matches.

The 1-1 draw with Bravos do Maquis further showed their vulnerability to early concessions, as they again went behind in the 13th minute before equalising. Their only away win in the group was a disciplined 1-0 win over Sfaxien, a testament to their ability to grind out results under pressure.

Simba’s quarter-final test against Egypt’s Al Masry encapsulated their tournament in miniature. After losing 2-0 in the first leg in Egypt and conceding early, they returned home and levelled the tie within the first 30 minutes.

Holding firm defensively after that, they forced penalties and advanced with a confident 4-1 shootout win. That comeback showcased both their home advantage and fighting spirit. In the semi-finals, Simba delivered a clinical 1-0 win over Stellenbosch in Dar es Salaam before holding on for a goalless draw away — one of the few occasions they did not concede across both legs.

However, their first-leg performance in Morocco against RS Berkane in the final was a regression. Simba conceded early in the first half and struggled to regain control. They were outmatched tactically and physically by a team that has made a habit of strong home displays and defensive solidity. Simba must now deliver their best performance of the campaign to overturn a two-goal deficit.

RS Berkane, by contrast, have had a commanding run to the final. Their early rounds against Dadje of Benin were emphatic, winning 2-0 away and 5-0 at home. In the group stage, they scored ten goals and conceded only two, maintaining five clean sheets.

Their most dominant display came in the 5-0 demolition of Stellenbosch, showing sharpness in attack that few sides in the competition could match. Away from home, they were just as efficient, winning 3-1 against Stellenbosch and keeping a clean sheet against Stade Malien.

In the knockout stages, Berkane’s consistency stood out. They beat ASEC Mimosas 1-0 in both legs of the quarterfinals, showing an impressive ability to control games across 180 minutes. The semi-final first leg saw them destroy CS Constantine 4-0 at home, effectively ending the tie before the return match.

Despite a 1-0 loss in the second leg, their place in the final was never seriously in doubt. The first leg of the final saw Berkane execute their game plan with precision: An early goal to assert control and another to secure a comfortable cushion.

For Simba to overcome Berkane, several issues must be addressed. The most pressing is their tendency to concede early, as seen against Tripoli, Sfaxien, Maquis, Al Masry, Constantine and Berkane.

This pattern places unnecessary pressure on the team to chase games, which could be especially dangerous against a side like Berkane that thrives on controlling the tempo and punishing teams on the break. Defensive organisation in the opening 20 minutes will be critical. Simba must maintain shape and discipline, ensuring that Berkane do not find spaces to exploit early on.

Simba should also be aware of Berkane’s potential vulnerability in the second half. When CS Constantine managed to score against them, it was immediately after the break. That suggests an opportunity for Simba to capitalise if they can maintain intensity and pressure into the second half. Fitness, focus and tactical discipline will be key in this phase.

Moreover, Simba’s strength in home games could prove vital. They have consistently been more effective in front of their fans and with the backing of a Tanzanian crowd in Zanzibar, momentum and emotion could be on their side. However, this advantage must be complemented with tactical maturity and efficiency. Set-pieces might be a useful tool for Simba to exploit.

Berkane’s defence, though robust, has shown susceptibility to well-executed dead-ball situations.

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The comparative statistics of both teams underscore the challenge ahead for Simba: These figures show that Berkane not only scores more but concedes less and maintains more clean sheets. Simba must raise their level significantly to overturn these margins. Discipline at the back, clinical finishing, and a psychological edge from playing on home soil will be essential.

The ability to score early and unsettle Berkane could change the dynamic of the match. Simba has proven they can bounce back, but this final demand their most complete performance yet if they are to yet if they are to lift the CAF Confederation Cup.