Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE red sea of Simba SC supporters that flooded the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar on Sunday left in silence, their cheers drowned in sorrow and disbelief.
What was meant to be a night of redemption became a haunting reminder of 1993, as the Tanzanian giants fell short again—this time against RS Berkane, who clinched the CAF Confederation Cup with a 3–1 aggregate after a 1–1 draw in the return leg.
From the opening whistle, there was electricity in the air. Simba entered the pitch with fire in their eyes, the weight of history on their shoulders, and a nation behind them. The crowd stood restless, desperate for an early sign. And it came.
In the 17th minute, Elie Mpanzu danced down the right flank, weaving through Berkane defenders with the poise of a seasoned maestro.
His low cross sliced across the box — sharp, fast, purposeful. It was meant for Steven Mukwala, who missed it by a whisper, but fate had another plan. Joshua Mutale, calmly positioned and unmarked, struck with precision — a grass-cutting bullet that thundered past the goalkeeper and into the net.
The stadium erupted. Red flares lit the night sky. Flags waved with fury. Songs roared into the humid Zanzibar air. The dream was alive.
Just minutes later, Simba nearly doubled the lead. Another cross from Mutale found Shomari Kapombe soaring with a diving header — the goalkeeper stranded — but the ball soared just over the bar. Hearts leapt and dropped. Inches. Just inches from destiny.
But RS Berkane were never going to be easy prey. In the 37th minute, Oussama Lamlioui’s wicked volley forced a brilliant save from goalkeeper Moussa Camara, who had already denied Yassine Lebhiri earlier with a spectacular stop. Berkane pushed, but Simba held firm — for a time.
The second half changed everything. Simba’s defensive midfielder, Yusuf Kagoma, was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Berkane’s Imad Riahi. The decision ignited chaos. Simba players surrounded the referee in protest.
The technical bench erupted. One of them was shown a red card. Earlier, even head coach Fadlu Davids had been booked. The sense of injustice thickened with every whistle. Questions began to rise louder than the chants.
With one man down, Simba’s resolve only grew. In the 77th minute, Jean Charles Ahoua was fouled. The free kick was beautifully delivered, and Mukwala converted. The stadium exploded — briefly. The Video Assistant Referee intervened. Offside. No goal. Another roar silenced. Another piece of the dream torn away.
And then came the moment that broke every heart. Extra time. Fatigue. A slip. A miscommunication between defenders. The ball fell to Soumaila Sidibe, who didn’t hesitate. He struck it clean. The net rippled. Simba’s hopes collapsed. Just like that.
As the referee blew the final whistle, it was not just the end of a game — it was the end of a journey. A journey that began with belief, burned with passion, and ended with questions no one could answer.
The ghosts of 1993 had returned. Then, it was Stella Abidjan. Now, it is RS Berkane. Different names, same pain.
Yet, there is pride. Pride in how Simba fought. Pride in the heart they showed. Pride in the way they made a nation believe again. Joshua Mutale, Elie Mpanzu, Moussa Camara — each a warrior on a field of dreams.
And the fans — oh, the fans — they never stopped singing. Even as tears rolled down faces painted red and white, they kept believing. For this wasn’t just a loss. It was a promise. A reminder that Simba SC is not done. That the lion will rise again.
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