CAFCC: Simba SC got overwhelmed by occasion in RS Berkane defeat – Davids

Photo Credit - Simba SC Tanzania.

Simba head coach Fadlu Davids has admitted that RS Berkane should feel sorry that they did not score a third goal in their 2-0 first leg final of the CAF Confederation Cup at Berkane Municipal Stadium on Saturday.

Berkane took a commanding step towards a third continental crown following the victory ahead of the return leg final on May 25. The Moroccan side made their intentions clear from the onset, applying early pressure that yielded results within the first 10 minutes.

A well-delivered corner from Hamza El Moussaoui in the eighth minute found Mamadou Camara, who rose highest to head home from close range and give Berkane a dream start to the game. Just six minutes later, Oussama Lamlaoui doubled Berkane’s lead with a well-taken finish after latching onto an incisive pass from Imad Riahi.

“I think we were prepared tactically for the match, especially the first 20 minutes, Berkane at home scores a lot of goals in the first 20 minutes with the pressure, so we were tactically prepared, but not emotionally prepared, my players were a little bit overwhelmed by the occasion, by the pressure,” said Davids after the game.

“After the second goal, we got a little bit more stability, and a tactical switch at half-time definitely gave us the edge in the second half, I think Berkane should be very angry with themselves that they didn’t score the third because 2-0 for us to come back, it is not definitely enough for them to take as an advantage.”

Asked about the return leg, the South African coach said: “We would love to play the return leg at Benjamin Mkapa, it is a 60, 000 sitter, while Amaan Stadium is only 12, 000 capacity, Simba is dangerous when playing at Mkapa, and of course, it is a huge advantage if we play at Mkapa, but we have had teams before that, who don’t want to play us at Mkapa.

“We follow the rules, the rules are clear, I was in Orlando Pirates when we played Berkane in a neutral venue in Nigeria, and now we play in Berkane and they want to take us to a neutral venue? Let us be clear, give us our home, that is clear, even if we play the second leg here, we are ready for this, we are ready, Simba is a big club, we don’t back down.”

The return leg final will be played on Sunday, May 25, where the Msimbazi Reds will be aiming to overturn the deficit, while Berkane will look to complete the job and lift their third CAF Confederation Cup title.