Simba Sports Club is scheduled to depart for Zanzibar tomorrow, May 21, 2025, as they intensify preparations for the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final, set to take place on May 25 at Amaan Stadium.
Speaking to the media today, Simba's Media and Communications Manager, Ahmed Ally, confirmed that the team will conduct their final training session this afternoon at Mo Arena in Bunju, Dar es Salaam, before traveling to Zanzibar tomorrow.
"After returning from our recent assignment, the team was given two days of rest on Sunday and Monday. Training resumed yesterday, and today we’ll wrap up preparations before heading to Zanzibar," said Ally.
He noted that while Simba had initially pushed for the match to be held at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam to accommodate more local fans, those efforts were ultimately unsuccessful due to logistical and financial constraints.
"Our focus now shifts fully to Zanzibar. Many doubt our ability to get a result there, but this is a historic opportunity. We had good reasons for wanting the game at Mkapa mainly to give all Tanzanians a chance to attend in large numbers. Unfortunately, that didn’t materialize," he explained.
Ally emphasized that despite the venue change, the club remains fully committed to its mission: winning the continental title.
“Our objective is clear—we are going to fight for the championship. Every effort from now on is geared toward achieving that goal,” he said.
He urged fans, club branches, and discussion groups to concentrate on strategies for winning the title rather than lamenting the choice of venue, noting that it was Amaan Stadium that hosted Simba's historic semifinal triumph.
“We have a strong squad and an excellent technical bench capable of delivering results, even in a less familiar environment,” Ally added.
He also pointed to the team’s 2–0 lead from the first leg as a confidence booster and motivation to finish the job in the second leg.
Regarding ticketing, Ally revealed that 16,000 tickets had initially been sold, but the sales process has been reset and restarted. New ticket prices have been announced: VIP A – TZS 50,000, VIP B (Russia Stand) – TZS 30,000, and General Admission (Orbit) – TZS 10,000.
He encouraged those who had purchased the previous batch of tickets to keep them, as they will be valid for entry to the upcoming Simba Day celebrations.
In the build-up to the final, Simba will also hold a fan rally in Kikwajuni, Zanzibar, on May 22. On May 23, the team will visit the grave of the late Abeid Amani Karume for a special prayer session. Later that day, they will also donate supplies to local orphanages, with more details to be shared soon.