Simba Kucheza Bila Mashabiki Dhidi ya CS Constantine

Simba Sports Club will play their upcoming CAF Confederation Cup group stage match against CS Constantine on Sunday, January 19, 2025, without fans in attendance. This follows a penalty imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) due to crowd trouble in their earlier group stage match.

The incident occurred during Simba’s 2-1 victory over CS Sfaxien on December 15, 2024, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. The match saw fans engage in violent behavior, leading to the destruction of 256 seats in the stadium.

TAARIFA KWA UMMA. #WenyeNchi #NguvuMoja pic.twitter.com/iogEqwtAhf

— Simba Sports Club (@SimbaSCTanzania) January 14, 2025

CAF’s Disciplinary Action

CAF initially imposed a two-match ban on Simba SC for the incidents. However, following an appeal by the club, the sanction was reduced to one match. Simba’s Interim CEO, Zubeda Sakuru, confirmed the club’s receipt of the final ruling and assured fans that measures are being taken to avoid similar occurrences in the future.

“We have accepted the decision and will comply with CAF’s directive. The club is committed to ensuring such incidents do not happen again as we continue to represent Tanzania on the continental stage,” said Sakuru.

Impact on Simba’s Campaign

The absence of fans is expected to impact Simba’s home advantage as they aim to secure crucial points in their bid to progress from the group stage. However, the club remains optimistic about their chances and has urged fans to support the team from afar.

Simba SC currently sits in a competitive group where every point matters. The team’s head coach has emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and discipline to overcome the challenge posed by CS Constantine.

A Call for Responsible Fan Behavior

The incident has sparked a broader conversation about fan behavior and its implications for the club’s reputation and future participation in international tournaments. Simba SC has urged its supporters to uphold sportsmanship and respect for the rules of the game.

As the team prepares for Sunday’s match, the players and management are determined to turn this setback into motivation, showcasing their resilience and commitment to achieving success on the continental stage.