Can Simba SC finally break their quarter-final jitters in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup?

Tanzanian giants Simba SC, widely regarded as one of Africa's biggest football clubs, have long been a prominent force in continental competitions. Yet despite their pedigree, the Wekundu wa Msimbazi have faced a familiar stumbling block in both the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

They’ve reached the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on three occasions—2020/21, 2022/23, and 2023/24—and made it to the same stage in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup during the 2021/22 season. Yet, despite these strong performances, they have consistently fallen short when the pressure of the knockout rounds intensifies.

This season, under the guidance of South African coach Fadlu Davids, Simba SC has been in stellar form both domestically and continentally. They find themselves in a fierce title race with eternal rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC), with just a single point separating the two teams in the Tanzanian Premier League.

In addition to their domestic success, their continental ambitions are also very much alive.

Simba's performance in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage has been nothing short of impressive. They finished atop Group A with an outstanding 13 points, losing just once in a group that included tough opponents like CS Constantine, FC Bravos Do Maquis, and CS Sfaxien. This record shows the strength and determination of a team that is not only hungry for success but also capable of competing at the highest level.

Now, as the quarter-final draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup looms on the horizon, Simba SC will hope that this season marks the end of their quarter-final curse.

The draw will take place on Thursday, 20 February where fate of all the top-performing teams will be determined, and Simba SC will be hoping for a favourable match-up that allows them to finally break through that elusive barrier.

The club’s supporters will no doubt be optimistic, as the team has shown the kind of form that suggests they are more than capable of going deeper into the competition.

With a combination of youth, experience, and a tactical mind in Fadlu Davids, Simba’s ambitions have never been clearer. The real question is whether they can finally conquer their quarter-final demons and take the next step toward continental glory.