SIMBA SC captain Mohamed Hussein has exuded confidence and determination as his team prepares to face Stellenbosch FC in the return leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final this Sunday.

The Tanzanian giants secured a narrow 1-0 win in the first leg at the Amaan Stadium last Sunday, thanks to a composed and clinical free-kick by Ivorian defender Jean Ahoua just before halftime. 

The low, curling shot into the corner followed a VAR review that overturned an initial foul call and provided Simba with a crucial edge heading into the second leg, scheduled for April 27 in South Africa.

Reflecting on the match, Hussein praised his teammates and the fans for their support while underlining the magnitude of the occasion.

“On behalf of the players, we thank our fans and everyone who supported us before and during the game,” said Hussein. 

“We wanted more than just one goal, but we worked hard for this result. A 1-0 win is still a win - and this is Simba. Simba roars everywhere, and we are ready to go and roar in South Africa.”

The captain was quick to temper expectations, cautioning that easy victories are rare at this advanced stage of the tournament.

“At this level, you can’t expect to beat anyone by four, five, or six goals. The four teams in the semi-finals are the best in Africa right now. No one is easy to beat,” he said. 

“At this stage, there’s no such thing as a slim win or a big win - every win counts. Ours is a very important one.”

Hussein emphasized the psychological and strategic value of the lead heading into the return leg.

“We’ve put one leg in the final. We’re closer than Stellenbosch because of that one goal. It’s something to be proud of. After 90 minutes, we’ve got a 1-0 win, and our opponent returns home with nothing but the advantage of playing the next match on their turf.”

This semi-final run marks a historic achievement for Simba, who have reached this stage of the competition for the first time. Their path to the final four included a dramatic quarter-final victory over Egypt’s Al Masry, secured via a 4-1 penalty shootout win after a 2-2 aggregate draw.

Stellenbosch, on the other hand, made history of their own by advancing past Egyptian giants Zamalek with a 1-0 aggregate score, continuing their impressive debut campaign in CAF interclub competition.

Under South African head coach Fadlu Davids, Simba will take satisfaction in the clean sheet and first-leg home victory. However, the players and technical bench are acutely aware that the job is only half done.

Attention now turns to South Africa, where Simba must protect their advantage in what promises to be a fiercely contested second leg. 

Stellenbosch have already proven they can disrupt seasoned opponents at home, making for a thrilling and decisive showdown as both teams chase a coveted place in the CAF Confederation Cup final.