SIMBA SC head coach Fadlu Davids has expressed deep pride and unwavering belief in his squad despite falling short of clinching the CAF Confederation Cup title.

The Tanzanian giants were held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco’s RS Berkane in the second leg of the final at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar, a result that saw the Moroccans lift the trophy on 3-1 aggregate.

Speaking shortly after the final whistle, Davids (pictured) admitted the result was painful but praised the mental strength and tactical discipline of his players throughout the match.

“These boys faced extremely difficult circumstances before and during the game, but they showed great courage and composure. Even though we didn’t win the cup, we’ve grown tremendously in both tactical understanding and psychological resilience,” said the South African tactician.

Simba began the match on the front foot and looked poised to turn the tie around after midfielder Joshua Mutale opened the scoring in the 17th minute. The Zambian star capitalized on a low cross from Ugandan winger Steven Mukwala, finishing neatly to ignite the home crowd.

The momentum remained with the Tanzanian side well into the second half. Mukwala thought he had doubled Simba’s lead when he tapped in a rebound from a well-taken free kick by Jean Charles Ahoua. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed for offside a decision that Davids later hinted had a significant impact on the match.

“Refereeing decisions really disrupted the rhythm of the game. We saw a number of questionable fouls awarded to RS Berkane and some calls that went against us in crucial moments,” Davids pointed out. “But credit to the players, they maintained their discipline under intense pressure, which is something to be proud of. This is a positive step forward for the club.”

Simba’s hopes suffered a major blow early in the second half when defender Yusuph Kagoma was shown a second yellow card and was sent off for a reckless challenge. The numerical disadvantage eventually took its toll, as RS Berkane launched a late counter-attack and grabbed a vital equalizer in the dying minutes of the match.

Despite the heartbreak, Simba’s performance drew admiration from fans and neutrals alike. Their intensity, tactical organization, and hunger were evident from the first whistle, and many believe the side deserved more from the match.

“It’s a cruel part of football,” Davids reflected. “For the effort these players put in, they deserved to walk away with the trophy. But we take lessons from this experience. It’s not the end; it’s the beginning of something greater.”

Looking ahead, the coach emphasized the importance of stronger preparation - both technically and logistically for future high-stakes matches. He called on the club’s management and fans to rally behind the team in ensuring the squad is better equipped for continental challenges.

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

As Simba now shift focus back to domestic competition -  the Mainland Premier League and the semifinals of the Federation Cup (FA Cup), Davids stressed the importance of finishing the season strong and using the CAF Confederation Cup campaign as a springboard for future continental success.

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

To the Simba fanbase, Davids delivered a heartfelt message filled with hope and determination.

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

With the heartbreak of Zanzibar behind them, Simba now set their sights on domestic dominance and a return to the continental stage stronger, wiser, and hungrier for redemption.