CAFCC: Stellenbosch ambitious team that deserves respect – Simba’s Davids

Photo Credit - Simba SC Tanzania.

Simba SC coach Fadlu Davids has explained why Stellenbosch deserve a lot of respect ahead of their first leg semi-final clash of the CAF Confederation Cup at the New Aman Complex in Zanzibar on Sunday.

The Msimbazi Reds were drawn to face the South African club following their success to eliminate Egyptian side Al Masry. Simba finally broke their quarter-final jinx after a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout victory over Al Masry at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Meanwhile, Stellenbosch reached the next stage after tossing out defending champions Zamalek. After securing a 0-0 draw in the first leg at home, the Stellies went to Egypt and snatched a 1-0 win to qualify 1-0 on aggregate.

“We expected to return to Egypt to face Zamalek again. We didn’t expect them to lose to Stellenbosch, especially since they are the defending champions. As a club, we were surprised by the outcome,” said Davids as quoted by the Guardian.

“But Stellenbosch are a good team with pace, and they deserve all the respect. We saw Zamalek show them too much respect in Cape Town, and I believe that played a big role in the result.”

On Simba’s chances of reaching the final, the South African coach said; “Of course, we are confident in our ability to make it to the final. What I know about Stellenbosch is that they are a strong, ambitious team. I’ve coached in South Africa, I know their coach and several of their players.

“This is a golden opportunity for us. It’s the first time in our history that we’ve reached this stage in the CAF Confederation Cup. We are more accustomed to competing in the CAF Champions League, but we are fully focused on making history in this tournament.”

This will mark the first-ever meeting between Simba and Stellenbosch and the return leg is scheduled for April 27 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa.