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Join on Telegram In a fiercely contested battle at the Municipal Stadium, RS Berkane secured a 2-0 victory over Simba SC in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final.
The match lived up to its billing as the recently-crowned Moroccan champions faced off against the determined Tanzanian outfit in what proved to be a tactical chess match from start to finish.
RS Berkane, appearing in their fifth CAF Confederation Cup final, showcased the form that has seen them lose just once in this season’s continental campaign.
Coach Mouaine Chaabani’s men demonstrated the tactical discipline and winning mentality that brought them previous CAF Confederation Cup success in 2020 and 2022, as they continue their quest for a third title to match CS Sfaxien’s record.
The visitors from Tanzania, finalists in this competition back in 1993, proved they hadn’t made the journey to Morocco merely to make up the numbers.
Simba SC, 22-time Tanzanian champions, entered the contest following an impressive run that saw them eliminate South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC in the semifinals with a disciplined defensive display in the second leg.
Today’s encounter held special significance for Simba’s South African coach Fadlu Davids, who previously faced Berkane when serving as assistant coach at Raja Casablanca.
His familiarity with the Orange Boys’ strengths was evident in his pre-match comments acknowledging the difficulty of playing at Berkane’s fortress, where the hosts have been imperious throughout this campaign.
For the newly-crowned Moroccan champions, this match represents another step toward a potential historic achievement – adding continental silverware to their domestic triumph.
Before today’s clash, Chaabani had expressed concern about injuries in his squad but emphasized the team’s unified spirit that has carried them through an exceptional season.
All attention now shifts to the return leg on May 25 at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, where Simba SC has yet to taste defeat in this season’s competition. With the tie delicately poised, both teams will be eyeing the ultimate prize – continental glory and the opportunity to represent Africa in the CAF Super Cup.
