On April 9, 2025, Simba Sports Club pulled off one of the most stunning comebacks in African club football history, erasing a two-goal deficit to knock out Egypt’s Al Masry SC in the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Down 2-0 from the first leg in Egypt, Simba didn’t just equalize—they dominated, then crushed their opponents in a penalty shootout, winning 4-1 to advance to the semifinals for the first time in club history.
A Night of Redemption in Dar es Salaam
It wasn’t just a win. It was a reckoning. Just two minutes into the match, Elie Mpanzu Nkibisawala unleashed a thunderous strike from distance that left Al Masry’s goalkeeper Mahmoud Ahmed rooted. The goal, at the 22nd minute according to ESPN, sent the 60,000-strong crowd into a frenzy. Ten minutes later, Ugandan international Steven Dese Mukwala rose above the defense to head home from close range, making it 2-0. The aggregate was level. The tie was alive.
Al Masry, who had won the first leg 2-0 on April 2, 2025, with goals from Abderrahim Deghmoum (16') and John Ebuka (89'), looked shell-shocked. They barely touched the ball in the second half. Simba’s midfield, led by Luamba Ngoma and Yusuph Kagoma, suffocated their opponents. The Egyptian side, once so composed in Cairo, now looked like ghosts of themselves.
The Penalty Shootout That Made History
When the final whistle blew, the match went to penalties. And that’s when Moussa Camara, Simba’s 40-year-old goalkeeper, became a legend. He saved two penalties—first from El Gohary, then from Abderrahim Deghmoum—both of whom had scored in the first leg. Meanwhile, Simba’s penalty takers were flawless: Jean Charles Ahoua, Steven Mukwala, Kibu Denis Prosper, and Shomari Salum Kapombe all buried their kicks. No nerves. No hesitation. Just ice in their veins.
Al Masry’s miss on their third attempt was the death knell. The Egyptian players collapsed on the turf. The Tanzanian bench erupted. Fans poured onto the pitch, waving flags and singing Swahili chants that echoed through the night. This wasn’t just a victory. It was a cultural moment for Tanzanian football.
Behind the Comeback: Coaching and Culture
"I thank my players for the hard work," said Fadlu Davids, Simba’s head coach, his voice thick with emotion. "After losing the first leg, they knew they had to work harder to qualify. They didn’t just play—they fought with everything they had. This is what Simba SC is made of."
What made this possible wasn’t just talent. It was culture. Simba SC, the most decorated club in Tanzania, had never reached the semifinals of the CAF Confederation Cup. Their last deep run was in 2017, when they were eliminated in the quarterfinals. Since then, they’ve been building—relying on local talent, youth development, and a fierce home advantage. The stadium, packed with over 60,000 fans, wasn’t just a venue—it was a weapon.
What This Means for African Football
Simba’s triumph flips the script on the narrative that African club football is dominated by North African and South African giants. This was a Tanzanian team, with a roster full of homegrown players and a coach who grew up in the country, beating a historic Egyptian side that’s won continental titles before.
It also highlights the growing competitiveness of the CAF Confederation Cup. Once seen as a secondary tournament, it’s now producing shocks that rival the Champions League. Simba’s run, combined with Stellenbosch FC’s gritty 0-0 draw against Zamalek in South Africa on the same day, shows that African football is no longer predictable.
Historical stats underscore the magnitude: since 2018, Simba had never beaten Al Masry in three meetings. They’d scored just two goals total. Now, they’ve not only won once—they’ve overturned a two-goal deficit on the road to the semis.
What’s Next? Semifinals Loom
Simba SC will now face the winner of the Stellenbosch SC (South Africa) vs. Zamalek SC (Egypt) tie. That second leg, also played on April 9, ended 0-0 in Cape Town, meaning Zamalek holds the slight advantage heading into Cairo. But don’t count out Stellenbosch. They’ve already defied expectations.
The semifinals are set for late April 2025, with legs scheduled across Africa. Simba’s home advantage will be immense. If they can replicate this performance, they’re not just contenders—they’re favorites.
Key Stats That Tell the Story
- Simba SC’s second-leg win: 2-0 (aggregate 2-2)
- Penalty shootout result: Simba SC 4-1 Al Masry SC
- Goalscorers: Elie Mpanzu (22'), Steven Mukwala (32')
- Goalkeeper saves in shootout: Moussa Camara (2)
- Simba’s last five matches: 2 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses — 2.8 goals scored per game
- Al Masry’s last five matches: 1 win, 4 draws, 0 losses — 1.0 goals scored per game
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is Simba SC’s semifinal appearance?
This is Simba SC’s first-ever semifinal in the CAF Confederation Cup, making it the deepest run by any Tanzanian club in the competition’s history. Before this, their best was the 2017 quarterfinals. They’ve now joined only a handful of East African teams to reach this stage, including Gor Mahia and KCB FC, but none have gone further.
Who were the key players in the comeback?
Elie Mpanzu opened the scoring with a powerful long-range shot, while Steven Mukwala’s header sealed the win. But the real hero was goalkeeper Moussa Camara, who saved two penalties and inspired his team with calm leadership. Midfielders Luamba Ngoma and Yusuph Kagoma controlled the tempo, neutralizing Al Masry’s attacks despite being under constant pressure.
Why did Al Masry struggle so much in the second leg?
Al Masry came into the match overconfident after their 2-0 first-leg win. They failed to adapt to Simba’s aggressive pressing and the deafening home crowd. Their midfield was outmuscled, and their attackers were isolated. Two missed penalties in the shootout—especially Deghmoum’s, who scored in the first leg—showed a collapse in composure under pressure.
What does this mean for Tanzanian football?
It’s a watershed moment. Simba’s success proves that with proper investment in youth, coaching, and home support, Tanzania can compete at the continental level. The win has already sparked a surge in local interest, with ticket sales for the semifinal already surpassing 80,000 requests. It could also attract more sponsorships and media deals for the Tanzanian Premier League.
Who is Simba SC’s next opponent?
They’ll face the winner of Stellenbosch SC and Zamalek SC. Zamalek holds a slight edge after the 0-0 draw in South Africa, but Stellenbosch’s resilience makes them dangerous. Simba will likely face Zamalek in the semis, given their superior pedigree. But in football, anything can happen—and Simba has already proven they’re not afraid of giants.
How did fans react to the victory?
Tens of thousands flooded the streets of Dar es Salaam after the final whistle. Social media exploded with #SimbaRises trending across Africa. Local businesses closed early to celebrate. One fan, 68-year-old Mwanaidi Mwakalile, told reporters: "I’ve waited 50 years to see Simba in the semis. I thought I’d die without seeing it. Tonight, I danced with my grandchildren. That’s worth more than any trophy."
Samba Alassane Thiam
Man, Simba just turned Dar es Salaam into a war zone in the best way possible. You could hear the chants from space.
Lauren Eve Timmington
This isn’t just football. This is African identity rising up. A Tanzanian club, built on local talent, outworking and outthinking a historic Egyptian powerhouse? That’s the future right there. No more pretending only North Africa or South Africa matters. Simba didn’t just win-they rewrote the script.
That crowd? 60,000 people screaming like the world was ending? That’s not noise-that’s ancestral energy. Every kid in Tanzania watching this now knows they don’t need to leave home to be great.
And Camara at 40? Saving two penalties from guys who scored in the first leg? That’s not luck. That’s wisdom. That’s decades of grit distilled into one night. He didn’t just stop shots-he stopped doubt.
Al Masry came in with a trophy mindset. Simba came in with a revolution. And the difference? Culture. Simba’s players grew up on these pitches, in these streets. They didn’t just play for a club-they played for a legacy.
The stats say it all: three losses to Al Masry since 2018, two goals total. Now? Two goals in one night, and a shootout win. That’s not a comeback. That’s a reckoning.
And don’t sleep on the midfield. Ngoma and Kagoma didn’t just defend-they suffocated. They turned Al Masry’s game plan into a funeral march. No space. No rhythm. Just pressure. That’s coaching. That’s heart.
This is bigger than trophies. It’s about proving that African football isn’t about who has the biggest budget-it’s about who has the biggest soul. Simba didn’t just reach the semis. They made the continent look in the mirror.
And now? The world’s watching. Sponsorships will flood in. Youth academies will explode. This isn’t just a win-it’s the spark that lights up East African football for a generation.
I’ve watched African club football for 20 years. This is top five. Top three, honestly. I’m not crying. You’re crying.
Shannon Carless
lol simba won. cool. 🤷♀️
JIM DIMITRIS
bro that goalkeeper was ancient and still out here saving penalties like he’s got magic in his gloves 😍
Wendy Cuninghame
Let’s be honest-this was orchestrated. The stadium capacity? Too perfect. The timing? Suspicious. Al Masry’s collapse? Too convenient. There’s no way a team with zero continental pedigree defeats a historical giant without external influence. Who benefits from this narrative? Who funds Simba? Who controls the CAF? The real story is being buried.