Fadlu Davids: 'Unfinished business' will drive Simba back to CAF final

Photo Credit - Simba SC Tanzania.

Simba SC head coach Fadlu Davids has emphasised the importance of ending the season on a high and using their CAF Confederation Cup campaign as a springboard for future success in continental competitions.

The Msimbazi Reds fell short of winning their first-ever Confederation Cup trophy, losing 3-1 on aggregate to Morocco's RS Berkane in the final.

Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Simba SC went into Sunday’s return leg final at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar needing a comeback. However, the Tanzanian giants were held to a 1-1 draw, allowing RS Berkane to win their third CAF Confederation Cup title.

Davids insists this is not the end for Simba in CAF competitions, adding that their immediate goal next season is to reach another final and finish the job with a trophy.

“Our immediate goal is to finish the domestic season on a high note, and then begin early preparations for next season’s CAF competitions,” said the South African coach. “We want to return to the final and settle unfinished business, whether against RS Berkane or any other team.

“This is not the end of the dream, it’s the start of a new chapter. We’re building something special here, and the support of the fans and the entire Simba family will be key to achieving greater things.”

On Simba falling short in the final, Davids said: “It’s a cruel part of football. For the effort these players put in, they deserved to walk away with the trophy. But we will take lessons from this experience. It’s not the end, it’s the beginning of something greater.

“We need improved competitive preparations for matches at this level, and fairness in the match environment is also crucial. This experience has shown us what we need to improve. With better infrastructure and preparation, we can come back stronger.”

Simba have shifted focus to wrestling the Mainland Premier League title from rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) and winning the domestic CRDB Federation Cup.