RS Berkane will welcome Tanzanian side Simba SC to the Berkane Municipal Stadium on Saturday at 20:00 local time for the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final, with the Moroccan champions aiming to secure a crucial home victory ahead of next week’s decisive return fixture in Zanzibar.
The encounter will be broadcast live on beIN Sports and marks a pivotal moment for both clubs in their pursuit of continental glory. For RS Berkane, the match represents another opportunity to cement their status as a dominant force in African football.
Having already claimed the Confederation Cup title in 2020 and 2022, and reached the final in both 2019 and 2024, the Moroccan side is chasing a third triumph in six years.
Led by Tunisian coach Mouine Chaabani, Berkane enter the final on the back of a convincing semi-final display against Algeria’s CS Constantine. A 4-0 victory at home in the first leg laid the foundation, despite a narrow 1-0 defeat in the return leg.
That performance underscored Berkane’s strength at home—something they will look to replicate against Simba.
Chaabani is hoping to guide his team to a historic double, having already led the club to their first-ever Botola Pro title this season. “Finals are always difficult,” he told reporters ahead of Saturday’s clash.
“We must take advantage of playing at home in the first leg and secure a positive result. I hope all the players rise to the occasion, because the return match will certainly be a tough battle in Tanzania.”
Simba SC, meanwhile, have shown resilience throughout the competition. They booked their place in the final with a narrow 1-0 win over South African outfit Stellenbosch FC in the first leg of the semi-final, before holding on to a goalless draw in the return fixture.
The Tanzanian giants, who last appeared in a CAF final in 1993, have been regular participants in both the Champions League and the Confederation Cup in recent years.
With 22 league titles and six domestic cup wins, Simba are one of the most successful and decorated clubs in Tanzania, second only to rivals Young Africans.
Head coach Fadlu Davids, who previously served as an assistant to Josef Zinnbauer during his time at Raja Casablanca, is well-acquainted with RS Berkane and recognises the difficulty of the task ahead. “We are proud to have reached the final,” Davids said.
“But we know this will be a very tough match in a very difficult stadium. RS Berkane are a strong side with a lot of experience in this competition, and we are preparing both tactically and mentally for this challenge.”
Simba remain unbeaten at home in the Confederation Cup this season, adding weight to the importance of a strong performance in Morocco for Berkane. A significant first-leg result could prove vital, especially with the second leg set for 25 May at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
With both clubs bringing ambition, experience, and tactical acumen to the final, the stage is set for an intense two-legged battle. For Berkane, it is a chance to further inscribe their name in African football history. For Simba, it is a long-awaited return to the continental spotlight.
