Former Taifa Stars goalkeeper Nemes Steven has asserted that Simba SC’s chances of clinching the CAF Confederation Cup lie squarely in the hands of the players, who must give their all during the full 90 minutes of the final.
Simba will face RS Berkane in the decisive second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final on May 25 at the Amaan Complex Stadium in Zanzibar.
In an interview with The Respondent Online, Steven emphasized the importance of discipline and determination, urging the players to avoid costly mistakes and to make the most of every opportunity that comes their way.
“The outcome of the match depends entirely on the players. They must fight hard and remain focused throughout. If they make mistakes, they’ll give the opponents a chance to capitalize—and even one goal could make it very difficult to recover,” Steven said.
He reminded the team that football has no guarantees, even at home. “There’s no such thing as a home advantage in football anymore. You can lose anywhere. That’s why it's critical that Simba plays a clean, mistake-free game.”
Steven acknowledged that RS Berkane is a formidable team with great capability, and cautioned Simba to approach the game with vigilance and respect for their opponents.
He noted that Simba’s objective should be clear: score at least two goals to put themselves in a strong position, then push for the decisive winner to claim the championship.
“If RS Berkane scores first, it will make the task much more difficult for Simba. Chasing goals under pressure could derail their game plan,” he warned.
Steven also pointed out that the final will be played in front of the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr. Hussein Mwinyi, adding further significance to the match.
“With such high-profile attendance, the players must remain sharp and take full advantage of every chance. If they stay focused and put in maximum effort, they can win. But if they lose concentration, they risk throwing it all away,” he concluded.
