THE Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Egyptian international referee Amin Mohamed Omar to officiate the high-stakes CAF Confederation Cup semi-final second leg between South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC and Simba SC.

The match is scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa.

Omar’s appointment has stirred debate among Simba supporters, who still remember his controversial officiating during their 1-0 defeat to Guinea’s Horoya AC on November 2, 2023, in the CAF Champions League group stage. 

The match, held at the Yorokoguia Stadium in Guinea, saw Simba fall to a narrow loss in a tightly contested affair. 

The Egyptian referee sparked outrage among the Tanzanian club’s fans when he awarded Horoya a contentious penalty, which fortunately for Simba, was missed by Pape Abdou N’diaye.

Now, as Simba prepare for a decisive encounter against Stellenbosch, the return of Omar to the center of such a crucial fixture brings both concern and caution for the Msimbazi Street-based side.

Unlike Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala, who managed the first leg in Zanzibar with composure and control as Simba secured a 1-0 advantage, Omar is known for his stricter style of refereeing.

Statistically, Omar has officiated 17 matches this season across various competitions, handing out a total of 66 cards, an average of 3.8 per game. 

Interestingly, despite this relatively high average, he has yet to show a red card this season. His preference appears to be disciplining players through frequent cautions rather than dismissals. 

This signals the need for Simba to remain highly disciplined throughout the encounter to avoid unnecessary bookings that could destabilize their game plan.

Simba, under the guidance of head coach Fadlu Davids, landed in South Africa earlier this week and immediately resumed preparations ahead of Sunday’s encounter. 

With just three days to finalize tactics, Davids is focused on sharpening his attack rather than defending their slim advantage.

“We are going there to attack and score, not to defend one goal. In the first 10 minutes, we will put a lot of pressure on our opponents,” said Davids during a press briefing after the team’s arrival. 

His statement highlights a bold approach, emphasizing Simba’s intention to control the match from the onset and secure an away victory rather than playing for a draw.

Davids has placed particular focus on his forward line, assigning specific responsibilities to key attackers, including Steven Mukwala, Jean Charles Ahoua, Leonel Ateba, and Denis Kibu. 

The objective is clear: to break down Stellenbosch’s defense early and put the game beyond doubt.

“We have already laid the foundation at home, now we need to go and finish the job. It will not be an easy match, but we have planned to work on our shortcomings and ensure we get the best results,” Davids added, acknowledging the challenges ahead but expressing confidence in his squad’s readiness.

Sunday’s clash is more than just a semi-final; it’s an opportunity for Simba to make history. A win would propel them to the final of the CAF Confederation Cup, a feat they last came close to achieving in 1993 when they reached the final of the now-defunct CAF Cup. 

That tournament was merged with the Cup Winners’ Cup in 2004 to form the current CAF Confederation Cup.

For Tanzanian football, a Simba victory would be a monumental achievement, not just for the club but for the entire nation. 

It would mark a rare presence in the final stages of continental football and showcase the progress Tanzanian clubs have made in recent years.

Back home, excitement and anticipation are building. Simba fans, along with the wider Tanzanian football community, are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the match, hoping their team can overcome the odds and write a new chapter in the country’s footballing history.

With Omar in charge of officiating and Davids pushing for an aggressive game plan, Sunday’s match promises to be intense, strategic, and potentially historic. 

All eyes now turn to Durban, where Simba will fight not only for a place in the final but for national pride.