SIMBA Sports Club have slipped from fifth to eighth place in the latest five year African club rankings released following the completion of the group stages of competitions organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The drop highlights the intensifying competition among Africa’s elite clubs, where consistency across multiple seasons has become the defining factor in determining continental status. With margins between top teams narrowing each year, even slight fluctuations in performance can significantly alter standings.

According to the updated statistics, Simba have accumulated 38 points over the five year assessment period. While the tally reflects the Tanzanian giants’ regular participation and competitiveness in CAF tournaments, it places them behind several clubs that have managed to maintain stronger runs in recent seasons.

The Msimbazi Street-based side had in recent years established themselves as one of East Africa’s most formidable representatives in continental competitions. Memorable campaigns in both the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup elevated their profile and saw them climb into the top five on the continent. However, fluctuating results and early exits in some recent editions appear to have contributed to their slight decline in the latest ranking.

Topping the standings is Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly with 66 points, reaffirming their dominance in African club football. The record CAF Champions League winners have consistently advanced to the latter stages of continental tournaments, underlining their enduring pedigree.

South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns sit second with 58 points, while Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive de Tunis occupy third place with 53 points. Both clubs have demonstrated remarkable stability and depth, regularly reaching knockout stages and competing for major honours.

Fourth and fifth positions are held by Morocco’s RS Berkane with 52 points and Egypt’s Pyramids FC with 48 points. These teams have emerged as consistent contenders in CAF competitions in recent seasons, combining strong domestic performances with impressive continental campaigns.

Despite Simba’s drop to eighth, the broader picture suggests that the gap separating many of Africa’s top clubs is not insurmountable. A difference of only a few points can shift positions dramatically, especially when clubs reach semifinals or finals in high value competitions such as the CAF Champions League.

In East Africa, the battle for regional supremacy remains tight. Tanzania’s other continental representative, Young Africans Sports Club, commonly known as Yanga, currently sit 10th in the same five year rankings. The narrow points difference between Simba and Young Africans underlines the growing competitiveness within Tanzanian football and signals a promising era for the country’s club game on the continental stage. 

For Simba, the latest ranking serves as both a setback and a wake-up call. While dropping three places may be viewed as a disappointment given their recent ambitions, it also reinforces the importance of long term planning, squad depth, and sustained performance in CAF competitions. 

Modern African football demands more than occasional standout campaigns. Clubs must invest strategically in player recruitment, youth development, technical expertise, and sports science to remain competitive over multiple seasons. The ranking system, based on cumulative performance, rewards consistency and penalises inconsistency. 

Simba’s leadership and technical bench now face the task of recalibrating their approach to continental football. Strengthening the squad, maintaining tactical stability, and ensuring strong performances in the group and knockout stages of CAF tournaments will be critical if they are to reclaim a top five position. 

Nevertheless, their recent history proves that a return to the summit is achievable. With proper preparation and renewed focus, Simba remain well positioned to climb back up the rankings and restore their standing among Africa’s elite clubs.

 As the CAF competitions continue to grow in intensity and quality, the coming seasons will be decisive in determining whether Simba can transform this temporary setback into a platform for resurgence on the continental stage.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

𝟖.

9.

𝟏𝟎.