SIMBA SC head coach Fadlu Davids remains optimistic ahead of their decisive second-leg clash against Egyptian side Al Masry in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals, set to take place this afternoon at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 PM East African Time.

The Msimbazi Street-based outfit faces an uphill task after suffering a 2-0 defeat in the first leg in Egypt. However, Simba will look to capitalize on their impressive home form and the passionate support of their fans as they attempt to overturn the deficit and reach the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time in the club’s history.

Davids acknowledged the mistakes that cost his side in the first leg but expressed belief in his squad’s ability to stage a comeback on home turf.

“We made mistakes that were punished, but I believe we still have what it takes to qualify. We must start aggressively and aim to score early to build momentum,” said Davids during his pre-match press conference.

He stressed the importance of intensity from the opening whistle, insisting that an early goal could unnerve Al Masry and inspire his players.

“We cannot afford to start slow. We need to attack from the beginning. The key is to apply pressure, force errors, and capitalize on our chances,” he added.

Despite dominating possession in the first leg with an 83% pass accuracy, Simba struggled in the final third. Only seven of their efforts were on target - a statistic Davids insists must improve.

“We created enough chances away, and that shows we can score. The difference now is precision and calmness in front of goal. The players must believe and be clinical,” he explained.

Simba’s recent home form offers reason for optimism. The club has scored 13 goals in their last four matches across all competitions at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. 

Key attacking players Elie Mpanzu, Charles Jean Ahoua, and Kibu Denis will be crucial in today’s fixture, with their creativity and finishing ability central to the team’s game plan.

Defensively, Simba must guard against Al Masry’s counterattacks. The Egyptian side, coached by Tunisian tactician Anis Boujelbene, is expected to adopt a compact, defensive setup, aiming to frustrate Simba and strike on the break.

Al Masry head into the second leg unbeaten in their last five matches, with two wins and three draws. Their defensive resilience has been a defining characteristic of their recent performances, and they will be determined to protect their two-goal advantage.

A comeback win would be historic for Simba, who have been eliminated at the quarter-final stage in previous campaigns.

“This is our moment to make history,” said Davids. “We know what’s at stake. The fans believe in us, and the players are ready to fight until the final whistle.”

Should Simba advance, they will face the winner of the quarter-final tie between South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC and Egypt’s Zamalek SC. The two sides meet later today in their second leg after playing to a goalless draw in the first encounter.

Elsewhere in the CAF Confederation Cup, RSB Berkane will host Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas in Morocco, while USM Alger and CS Constantine meet in an all-Algerian showdown.

As the quarter-final second legs unfold across the continent, Simba will hope to rise to the occasion, deliver their best performance yet, and keep their continental dream alive - fuelled by belief, determination, and a roaring home crowd.