Sidibe’s Dramatic Late Strike Shocks Simba SC as RS Berkane Claims CAF Confederation Cup Glory

Malian midfielder Soumaila Sidibe made a crucial impact off the bench, netting a stoppage-time equaliser that secured a 1-1 draw for RS Berkane against Simba SC, clinching the CAF Confederation Cup trophy at Amaan Stadium on Sunday.

After entering the return leg final with a commanding 2-0 lead from the first match at Berkane Municipal Stadium, the Moroccan side faced an early challenge as the Tanzanian team took the lead in the 17th minute, courtesy of Joshua Mutale.

As Simba pressed for a second goal to force extra-time, Sidibe, just freshly introduced, struck to level the score, enabling Berkane to win the tie 3-1 on aggregate.

Simba head coach Fadlu Davids opted to maintain Malian goalkeeper Moussa Camara in goal and deployed a four-man defence led by Shomari Kapombe, Che Malone, Chamou Karaboue, and captain Mohamed Mohamed.

The midfield trio of Yusuph Kagoma, Fabrice Ngoma, and Jean Charles Ahoua were supported by Elie Mpanzu, who played just behind strikers Steven Mukwala and Joshua Mutale.

Berkane’s coach, Moine Chaabani, fielded Munir Mohamedi in goal, protected by a defensive line that included Hamza El Moussaoui, Adil Tahif, Burkinabe star Issoufou Dayo, and Abdelhak Assal.

Mamadou Camara commanded the midfield alongside Imad Riahi on the right wing, with Yassine Labhiri, Ayoub Khairi, and Youssef Mehri supporting as they placed Oussama Lamlaoui upfront as a lone striker.

Seeking to overturn the 2-0 loss from the first leg and buoyed by a packed stadium, Simba surged out of the blocks, applying early pressure and keeping the North Africans pinned in their own half.

Davids found himself in the referee’s book early on for disputing a decision with the assistant referee. Aware of their early concession in the prior match, Simba aimed for quick goals, which came to fruition in the 17th minute when Mutale capitalised on an assist from Mpanzu to score.

This goal invigorated Simba, who continued to press Berkane and nearly extended their lead in the 22nd minute when Mpanzu’s skilful run set up Mukwala for a shot. However, the Ugandan forward could not find the net as defender El Moussaoui swiftly intervened, clearing the ball for a corner.

Kapombe became the first recipient of a yellow card in the 36th minute after a careless challenge on Mehri, while Berkane’s Khairi followed suit shortly after for a foul on Mpanzu, resulting in a free-kick. A clever chip from Ahoua found Mukwala, whose header narrowly missed the target.

Berkane’s best opportunity of the half arrived in the 42nd minute when Lamlaoui broke free, but his shot was well saved by Camara, ensuring Simba led 1-0 at the interval.

In the second half, Simba squandered another chance when Mpanzu bypassed two defenders and found Ngoma unmarked, but a fierce shot struck the woodwork, leaving them still searching for a second goal.

A significant setback came for Simba in the 50th minute when Kagoma was dismissed after a foul on Riahi. This forced Davids to restructure his lineup, shifting Ahoua back to bolster the defence.

A yellow card was shown to Berkane’s Riahi in the 59th minute for time-wasting, prompting his immediate substitution for Paul Bassene to avoid further discipline.

Despite being a man down, Simba could not convert another opportunity when Ahoua missed a tap-in from Mukwala’s low cross, despite being unmarked in the box.

Khairi, already on a booking, was replaced by Mohamed El Mourabit in the 68th minute as Berkane opted for a more defensive tactic to restrict Simba’s attacking play.

Simba’s first substitution occurred in the 71st minute, with goalscorer Mutale making way for Kibu Denis to try and penetrate Berkane’s robust defence. Almost immediately, Ahoua found Mukwala, who appeared to have scored again, but the linesman ruled it offside.

As the clock wound down, Davids made a bold double substitution, bringing on Valentin Nouma and Leonel Ateba for captain Hussein and Malone. Berkane countered by introducing Sidibe and Youssef Zghoudi for Lamlaoui and Lamine Camara. Remarkably, Sidibe found the back of the net just a minute after coming on, derailing Simba’s hopes for the title. This victory marked Berkane’s fourth final appearance in six years, having previously won the inter-club competition in 2020 and 2022.