SIMBA SC head coach Fadlu Davids praised his players for their resilience after a hard-fought 2-1 victory against CS Sfaxien in a CAF Confederation Cup Group A clash at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

“First of all, I would like to congratulate my players. I am proud of them because they did not tire or lose hope until the last minute. That is how a big team like Simba has to be,” said Davids (pictured) in his post-match interview.

He acknowledged the quality of their Tunisian opponents, particularly in the opening stages of the game. 

“CS Sfaxien is a good side. They approached this game very well, especially in the first half, and gave us a hard time. Tactically, my players did well in attack, although we missed some chances. Each player gave 100% effort, and that was very positive.”

The game on Sunday was marred by chaos after Simba’s winning goal deep into stoppage time, with CS Sfaxien players, technical staff, and some fans reacting violently. 

Addressing the incident, Davids remarked: “I don’t think CS Sfaxien fans and technical bench were justified in their actions. Their goalkeeper wasted time unnecessarily, and the referee simply compensated for that in added time. There was no need for them to react the way they did.”

The victory moved Simba to six points after three matches, placing them firmly in contention for a spot in the knockout stages. 

The Msimbazi Street-based side also extended their impressive home record in CAF competitions, having won 26 out of 36 matches at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium since 2018.

The match began with an early setback for Simba, as defender Fondoh Che Malone’s mistake allowed CS Sfaxien striker Hazem Hassen to open the scoring just three minutes into the game. 

However, Simba quickly responded through Kibu Denis, who headed in a Charles Ahoua free kick in the seventh minute to restore parity.

Kibu’s goal was his first since Simba’s 3-1 win over Al Ahli Tripoli in September, a moment that reinvigorated the home team. 

The equalizer energized the Simba faithful, who cheered the team on as they dominated possession for much of the first half, albeit without converting several clear chances.

Despite creating numerous opportunities, Simba’s forwards, including Leonel Ateba, Steven Mukwala, and Jean Ahoua, struggled to find the net. Full-back Shomary Kapombe was a standout performer, delivering dangerous crosses that went begging.

With the game tied 1-1 and frustration mounting in the stands, Simba finally found their breakthrough deep into stoppage time. 

Substitute Yusuf Kagoma’s long cross found Kibu, who rose above the defenders to score his second goal of the night, sparking jubilant celebrations among the home fans.

However, the dramatic late winner triggered a chaotic reaction from CS Sfaxien. Players and officials from the Tunisian side confronted Malagasy referee Andofetra Aroniania, accusing him of bias. 

The confrontation escalated, with members of Sfaxien’s technical bench reportedly pushing the referee.

The violence spilled over into the stands as a small section of CS Sfaxien supporters clashed with Simba fans, leading to broken seats and other disruptions. Security personnel and stewards eventually intervened, restoring order after a tense few minutes.

Coach Davids made crucial tactical changes during the game, including substituting Che Malone, who struggled defensively and made three costly errors. 

Karaboue Chamou replaced Malone, providing much-needed composure at the back. In midfield, Davids started Debora Mavambo, Awesu Awesu, Fabrice Ngoma, and Jean Ahoua. 

Despite the victory, Simba missed several chances that could have sealed the game earlier. Davids admitted that this remains an area to address in training. 

“We will take a close look at the chances we missed and work on converting them. It’s something we need to improve moving forward.”

With six points from three matches, Simba SC remain in the hunt for qualification from Group A. 

Later in the day, Bravos do Maquis of Angola secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Algeria's CS Constantine in another Group A encounter. 

The result adds excitement and complexity to the group standings, intensifying the competition as teams battle for a spot in the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Simba will now prepare for their remaining group games, including one more match at home and two away. The Reds’ strong record at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium continues to be a crucial advantage in their CAF campaigns.

Meanwhile, CS Sfaxien’s loss marked their third consecutive defeat in the group stage, leaving them at the bottom of the table and on the verge of elimination.

Despite the violent scenes, Simba fans were ecstatic about the result and celebrated long after the final whistle. The late victory reaffirmed the team’s fighting spirit, a quality that will be essential as they aim to progress further in the tournament.

Simba’s resilience and tactical discipline under coach Davids remain their greatest strengths, and the team will hope to build on this momentum in their quest for continental glory.