Simba: Tanzanian club eye TotalEnergies CAF Champions League glory
Published:
● Second quarter-final appearance - first time since 1974
● The highest finish was in the 1974 season, reaching semi-finals
● The second most successful club in Tanzania with 22 league titles
Simba SC, one of Tanzania's premier football clubs, are poised to make waves in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, marking their second appearance in the quarter-finals after nearly five decades.
With their highest finish dating back to 1974, where they reached the semi-finals, Simba SC aims to elevate their status in African football following recent investments into the club.
Their ultimate goal: clinching the prestigious trophy for the very first time in their history.
To realize their ambitions, Simba SC faces the daunting task of overcoming Al Ahly SC, the record-winners of the competition, in a two-legged tie.
The first leg is scheduled for Friday, March 30, at their home ground before the return leg in Cairo, Egypt, on April 6.
Brief History:
Founded in 1936 as Queen, later renamed Sunderland, and finally rebranded as Simba in 1971, the club derives its nickname, "Wekundu wa Msimbazi" (The Reds of Msimbazi), from its all-red home strip and headquarters located on Msimbazi Street.
Simba boasts one of the largest fan bases in Tanzania and across Africa, a testament to their enduring popularity.
Home Ground:
Simba SC hosts its home matches at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, boasting a seating capacity of 60,000 spectators.
Achievements:
With 22 Tanzanian Premier League titles to their credit, Simba SC ranks as the second most successful club in Tanzania. Their most recent league triumph came in the 2020-21 season.
Additionally, they have clinched the Community Shield (Super Cup) on 10 occasions.
Continental Achievements:
Despite their domestic success, Simba SC has yet to secure a continental trophy.
Their closest brush with glory was finishing runners-up in the defunct CAF Cup in 1993 and reaching the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League in 1974.
Head Coach:
Guiding the team's fortunes is Abdelhak Benchikha, an Algerian coach renowned for his extensive experience across Africa.
With a coaching resume spanning over 10 clubs in Algeria, Libya, Qatar, Morocco, and Tunisia, Benchikha aims to lead Simba SC to continental glory following his appointment on November 24, 2023.
Key Player - Henock Inonga Baka
Central to Simba SC's defensive solidity is DR Congo international Henock Inonga Baka.
His stellar performances have earned him a starting spot in the DR Congo national team, which finished fourth in the AFCON held in Cote d’Ivoire.