Berkane is poised to win the Confederation Cup

RS Berkane have established a strong position in the CAF Confederation Cup final following their 2-0 victory over Simba SC in the first leg match, which took place at the Berkane Municipal Stadium on Saturday night.

The Moroccan hosts, pursuing a third CAFCC title following their victories in 2020 and 2022, quickly built a two-goal advantage within the first fifteen minutes. It appeared that a defeat was imminent, yet Wekundu wa Msimbazi persevered to maintain their position in the contest, holding onto a faint hope of reversing the situation in the upcoming home leg next weekend.

Berkane began with great momentum, taking the lead in the eighth minute as Mamadou Camara rose to connect with Hamza El Moussaoui’s in-swinging corner kick, directing it home for a score of 1-0.

Oussama Lamlioui found the net in the 14th minute, turning one goal into two in rapid succession. Simba relinquished possession deep in their own half, allowing Imad Riahi to locate Lamlioui in the penalty area. The forward adeptly maneuvered his feet amidst three defenders and delivered a precise low shot into the net.

Riahi nearly found the net again after the midway point of the first half, slipping behind the Simba defense and unleashing a low shot aimed at goal, but goalkeeper Moussa Camara executed a remarkable save with his legs.

The visitors faced a setback with the injury of key player Abdulrazack Hamza, who was substituted by Che Malone Junior midway through the first half. Throughout the first 45 minutes, they managed to create just one significant opportunity, as Shomari Kapombe delivered a cross from the right to Leonel Ateba, but the forward failed to connect with the ball, leaving only the goalkeeper to beat.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi made a substitution at the beginning of the second half, bringing on Valentin Nouma for Denis Kibu. However, the Orange Boys maintained control of the game, creating prolonged periods of pressure as they sought a third goal.

They believed it had come at the hour mark, with Youssef Mehri finding the net from Camara’s enticing delivery into the box, but VAR disallowed the goal following an extended review.

Berkane adopted a more defensive stance in the final quarter of the match, and Simba came close to securing a vital away goal in the 84th minute. Ateba managed to turn and shoot within the penalty area, but his attempt was deflected off a defender’s legs and narrowly missed the target.

The return match is scheduled to take place at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar Es Salaam on Sunday, May 25.

RS Berkane (2) 2 (M. Camara 8’, O. Lamlioui 14’)

Simba SC zero

Berkane: M. Mohamedi, A. Tahif, I. Dayo, M. Camara, Y. Mehri, I. Riahi (Y. Zghoudi 74’), Y. Labhiri (R. Hajji 90+6′), O. Lamlioui (B. Ilou 90+6′), A. Khairi, H. El Moussaouhi (M. El Morabit 74’ [M. Santos 87’]), A. Assal

Simba: M. Camara, S. Kapombe, C. Karaboue, A. Hamza (C. Malone Junior 22’), M. Hussein, Y. Kagoma, F. Ngoma, J. Ahoua (D. Fernandes 90+5′), E. Mpanzu (J. Mutale 80’), L. Ateba, D. Kibu (V. Nouma 46’)