CAF Confederation Cup: Tanzania's Simba dream of glory ahead of semis

Simba SC are dreaming of a continental final as they prepare to take on South Africa's Stellenbosch in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semifinal in Dar es Salaam Sunday afternoon.

Kick off will be at 4 pm Kenyan time at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, and the home side are fully aware of the importance of home ground advantage as they aim to secure victory to take back to South Africa next weekend.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi are East Africa's sole representative in the semifinals.

"This is a big stage for us. I hope that the players can enjoy the occasion and play with freedom. We want a lead to take back South, and we are prepared to fight," Simba coach Fadlu Edwards told his pre-match presser.

When Stellenbosch qualified for this year’s Confederation Cup, few gave them a shot at longevity.

Even fewer believed they would survive a group stage, let alone go toe-to-toe with Africa’s giants.

Their quarter-final triumph over Zamalek SC, the defending champions and five-time continental kings, wasn’t just an upset; it shook African football to its core.

The Tanzanian titans, playing in front of a raucous crowd at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, pulled off a dramatic escape from the jaws of elimination by overturning a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Egypt’s Al Masry.

Goals from Elie Mpanzu and Steven Mukwala forced the tie into penalties, where Simba’s composure and class shone through in a clinical 4-1 shootout victory.

The East African side may not be strangers to the latter stages of CAF competitions, but they are yet to taste continental glory.

In the second semifinal, Morocco's RSB Berkane host CS Constantine from Algeria in a north African derby as they fight for a place in the final. Kick off will be at 10 PM.

CAF Confederation Cup Semifinals first leg (Kenyan time)

4 PM: Simba SC V Stellenbosch

10 PM: RSB Berkane V CS Constantine