THE Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho to officiate the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final between Morocco’s RS Berkane and Simba SC.

The match is scheduled for May 17 in Morocco, with the return leg set to take place on May 25 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Simba, one of East Africa’s football giants, will be aiming to make history by winning their first-ever CAF Confederation Cup title. 

The team begins their quest away from home before returning to Dar es Salaam for the decisive second leg where the trophy will be presented. Referee Atcho (pictured) is a familiar face to Simba fans, having officiated the Msimbazi Street-based side’s memorable 2-0 victory over Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca in the group stage of the CAF Champions League on December 19, 2023. 

His appointment for the high-stakes final is seen as a sign of CAF’s trust in his experience and ability to handle major continental matches. Atcho will be supported by assistant referee Boris Marlaise Ditsoga, also from Gabon, and Eric Ayimavo Ayamr Ulrich from Benin. The fourth official will be Patrice Tanguy Mebiame, also from Gabon.

CAF has also confirmed the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology for the match. South Africa’s Abongile Tom will lead the VAR team, assisted by Maria Packuita Cynquela Rivet from Mauritania and Diana Chikotesha from Zambia.

 Meanwhile, Simba have officially announced ticket prices and fan mobilization plans for the decisive home leg on May 25. Simba SC’s Media and Communications Manager Ahmed Ally described the final as a historic event that will surpass any other football final previously held in Tanzania.

“This is going to be a final like no other,” Ally declared. “We are preparing for an event of the highest standard, and we want it to be even more glamorous and attractive than the CAF Champions League final. Everything we are planning is aimed at creating an unforgettable atmosphere and experience.”

 Ally urged Simba fans to buy their tickets early to secure their places at the stadium and to avoid the last-minute rush. He emphasized that the club has already begun preparations to ensure the event meets international standards.

“We are calling on all Simba fans to act now and purchase their tickets early. This is a once in a generation opportunity. We’ve waited 30 years for this moment, and although we hope to reach more finals in the future, none will be as special as this one,” Ally said.

The ticket pricing for the final is as follows:Regular stands: TSh 7,000 VIP C: TSh 20,000, VIP B: TSh 30,000, Platinum: TSh 250,000 Which is already sold out. 

Notably, there will be no VIP A section as that area will be reserved for special CAF guests. Ally advised fans who typically purchase VIP A tickets to consider moving to VIP B or VIP C for this match.

 In collaboration with N-Card, Simba are working to ensure ticket accessibility across Dar es Salaam.  “We are in talks with our partners to position ticket sellers in areas with fewer points of sale, such as Tabata. We want to make it as easy as possible for our fans to buy tickets wherever they are in the city,” said Ally.

He also revealed that fans from outside Tanzania have expressed interest in attending the final, adding to the event’s significance.  “This match has captured attention beyond Tanzania. Fans are coming from abroad, and we want our local fans to take this opportunity seriously and avoid any inconvenience by buying tickets early,” he emphasized.

 To further build excitement, Simba will launch a major fan mobilization campaign on May 20 at Mbagala Zakhiem grounds.  According to Ahmed, the event will feature government officials, Simba leadership, top artists, and former players.

“There will be big screens showing interviews with players who featured in the 1993 final, and we will recap the team’s journey from the first match of the tournament all the way to the final,” said Ally. “It will be a celebration of our history, our fans, and our dream to lift the trophy.”

As the countdown to the final begins, Simba are determined to not only make history on the pitch but also set a new standard for hosting continental football events in Tanzania.