RS Berkane win third CAF Confederation Cup after second leg draw with Simba in Tanzania

Photo: Simba SC Tanzania/Facebook

For the third time in the last six editions, Morocco's RS Berkane are the champions of the CAF Confederation Cup following a 1-1 second leg draw against Simba SC on Sunday, the completing a 3-1 aggregate victory over the Tanzanian giants.

After a commanding first leg victory, RS Berkane looked noticeably tense and came out in a more defensive formation in the second leg played in Zanzibar. Hosts Simba played like a team with nothing to lose and their attacking mentality was rewarded in the 18th minute.

Elie Mpanzu received a pass forty yards from goal and burst down the right flank of the Berkane penalty area. The Congolese's low cross made it through to the far post where Joshua Mutale fired in and the Reds were back in contention.

RS Berkane woke up and created a couple of opportunities before halftime but Simba goalkeeper Moussa Camara came up with a couple of excellent saves, most notably just before halftime when he saved Adil Talif's header and Berkane captain Issoufou Dayo somehow headed the rebound over the crossbar.

But just when Simba had all the momentum to level the tie, a major setback arrived early in the second half. Before five minutes had elapsed, defensive midfielder Yusuph Kagoma committed a foul to stop a potential RSB attack and the Tanzanian international received his second yellow card, reducing Simba to ten players at a crucial moment.

But despite the red card, Simba continued to play without fear while Berkane remained tense. When Steven Mukwala headed in from a Jean Charles Ahoua free kick service after the 70th minute, it appeared that Simba had equalized the aggregate score against all odds. However, VAR intervened to determine that Mukwala was just offsides and the goal was waved off.

And that was as close as Simba got to moving level. After utilizing tactical time wasting and looking to run the clock out, Berkane caught Simba with too many players forward and substitute Soumaïla Sidibe put The Orange Boys beyond reach when he arrived to fire past Camara after collecting a loose ball.