FORMER SIMBA SPORT CLUB COACH FADLU DAVIDS ENDS UP WITH RAJA CLUB ATHLETIC FROM CASABLANCA

 

SIMBA HOLD FIRM TO SEAL TOTALENERGIES CAF CONFEDERATION CUP FINAL SPOT

Simba SC battled to a goalless draw against Stellenbosch FC at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday to book their place in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

The Tanzanian giants advanced 1-0 on aggregate following their first-leg victory in Zanzibar, with a disciplined defensive display proving enough to keep the South Africans at bay in Durban.

Needing a win to overturn the deficit, Stellenbosch threw everything forward but could not find a way past an inspired Simba defence and goalkeeper Moussa Camara, who stood tall throughout a tense encounter.

Stellenbosch came closest in the closing stages, with Fawaaz Basadien and Ismaël Touré both missing opportunities late in the game.

Devin Titus and Sanele Barns also saw efforts narrowly miss the target as the hosts desperately searched for a breakthrough.

Earlier, Stellenbosch thought they had taken the lead midway through the second half when Genino Palace found the back of the net, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside, dealing a heavy blow to Steve Barker’s side.

Simba, coached by Fadlu Davids, executed a near-perfect tactical plan, frustrating the South Africans and slowing down the game whenever necessary.

They survived a number of scares in the final 10 minutes, including two late corners, but showed impressive composure to see out the result.

The result continues Simba’s dream of a first continental title since 1993 when they reached the final of the old CAF Cup, only to finish runners-up.

The Msimbazi Reds will now face the winner of the other semi-final between CS Constantine of Algeria and Morocco’s RS Berkane in the final.

For Stellenbosch, it marks the end of a historic Confederation Cup campaign, their maiden voyage into continental football, which saw them reach the last four against all expectations.

Simba will take confidence from their solid defensive resilience and will now shift focus to preparing for the final, where they hope to complete a memorable journey with silverware.

- CAFOnline.vom

SEAD RAMOVIC APPOINTED AT YOUNG AFRICANS ON THE SAME DAY IT WAS ANNOUNCED EX-MAMELODI SUNDOWNS COACH MIGUEL GAMONDI HAS BEEN FIRED WITH THE CLUB ONE POINT OFF THE TOP OF THE TANZANIAN PREMIER LEAGUE

The Tanzanian giants have moved swiftly to fill their vacant coaching position with the appointment of the Serbian mentor.

• Young Africans fired Gamondi
• Yanga just one point off top of league
• Same day club announces former TS Galaxy boss

WHAT HAPPENED?

Tanzanian club Young Africans announced the departure of their head coach Miguel Gamondi in an official statement issued on Friday afternoon.

Just a few hours later the club announced their new boss had been appointed, former TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic who resigned his position on live TV just last week.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

Gamondi had succeeded current Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi when he left the club at the start of the 2023/24 season. 

The 57-year-old mentor instantly guided the team to winning their third consecutive league title in his first season. 

As of now, Yanga currently sits in position two in the Tanzanian Premier League table, trailing league leaders Simba SC, who are led by Fadlu Davids, by just a point after ten games.

With that kind of record leading to losing the job, Ramovic is going to have his work cut out for him appeasing his trophy hungry new employers.

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WHAT NEXT?

Ramovic will need to get to grips with his new squad ahead of their tricky Caf Champions League group stage tie against Al Hilal on November 26.

It would seem that anything but a winning start would immediately put the Serbian boss under pressure ahead of his Tanzanian Premier League debut against Namugo just four days later.

- Steve Blues