RS Berkane are the 2024/25 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup champions. They drew 1-1 against Simba SC in Zanzibar on Sunday to win the final 3-1 on aggregate.
The Moroccan club, who carried a two-goal cushion from the first leg, weathered a spirited performance from hosts Simba to lift their third CAF Confederation Cup title, following previous wins in 2020 and 2022.
Simba got off to a dream start in front of a packed crowd at the Amaan Stadium. Joshua Mutale gave the Tanzanian side an early lead in the 17th minute, finishing off a neat pass from Elie Mpanzu to raise hopes of a comeback.
Driven by the home support, Simba continued to press, with Steven Mukwala and Shomari Kapombe causing problems for the Berkane defence. However, the Moroccan side stayed solid at the back, with goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi producing key saves to keep them in the game.
Simba’s momentum was halted early in the second half when Yusuph Kagoma received a second yellow card in the 50th minute, reducing the hosts to 10 men.
VAR played a critical role in the outcome — a potential second goal by Mukwala in the 73rd minute was ruled out for offside, crushing Simba’s hopes of levelling the tie on aggregate.
Berkane sealed the title in the 78th minute when Soumaila Sidibe struck a brilliant equaliser from a tight angle, beating Simba goalkeeper Moussa Camara and silencing the home fans.
The result confirmed RS Berkane’s 3-1 aggregate win, crowning them African champions once again and underlining their growing legacy in continental football.
