SIMBA SC head coach Fadlu Davids has outlined a bold game plan as his team heads to South Africa for the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semifinal against Stellenbosch FC.

Following a narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg played in Zanzibar, Davids (pictured) is determined to lead his team to a positive result in the return leg and secure a spot in the final.

The decisive match is scheduled for Sunday in the city of Durban, South Africa. 

Despite carrying a one-goal advantage, Davids made it clear that Simba will not adopt a defensive approach, but instead, aim to control the game from the onset and push for an early goal.

“We’ve laid the foundation, but the house isn’t built yet,” Davids said. “We’re going into the second leg with only one objective; get an early goal and finish the job. We will not play defensively. We will not play with fear. We are not going there to settle for a draw. We want to win,” he said.

The South African tactician, who joined Simba earlier this season, emphasized that their preparations ahead of the away clash will be attack-oriented. 

He revealed that the team will work on strategies to apply pressure from the opening whistle, with the aim of scoring within the first ten minutes to unsettle the hosts.

“We know Stellenbosch is a youthful team, very fast, but they struggle when pressed intensely,” said Davids. 

“They crack under pressure, and that’s what we want to capitalize on. We’re not giving them time to organize we’re going there to attack.”

From a tactical perspective, Simba hold the advantage going into the second leg. A win or draw will be enough to take them to the final. 

Even if they lose, they could still progress as long as the defeat does not exceed a two-goal margin, especially if they manage to score an away goal.

Should Simba score in Durban, Stellenbosch would be required to net at least three goals to qualify.

Simba’s squad departed Dar es Salaam for South Africa yesterday embarking on a crucial journey that could see them reach their first-ever CAF Confederation Cup final.

The team was first expected to arrive in Johannesburg before proceeding to Durban, where the semifinal clash will be staged.

A contingent of 23 players has been named in the traveling squad, signalling Davids’ intent to go all out in pursuit of continental glory. 

The team will have three full days to finalize their preparations in Durban before facing Stellenbosch in what is expected to be a high-stakes encounter. 

Simba will use the time to adapt to the local conditions, fine-tune their tactical approach, and build momentum ahead of the decisive fixture.

Simba’s journey to this stage of the tournament has been marked by resilience, discipline, and determination. 

They advanced to the semifinals by overcoming Egyptian Al Masry in the quarterfinals, and their hard-fought win over Stellenbosch in the first leg has put them within touching distance of the final.

Should Simba successfully navigate the second leg and secure a place in the final, it will mark a historic achievement for the Tanzanian club, whose consistent performances on the continental stage in recent years have boosted the nation’s footballing reputation.

Davids, who previously served as an assistant coach at Orlando Pirates and Maritzburg United in his native South Africa, is optimistic that his side can rise to the occasion in front of Stellenbosch’s home crowd.

Simba fans, both in Tanzania and abroad, will be eagerly watching as their team looks to make history on Sunday. 

With Davids’ fearless approach and the players’ hunger for success, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the semifinal showdown.