Management of Simba confronting the officials after the game
The CAF Confederation Cup final ended in controversy and chaos on Sunday, May 25, 2025, as Tanzanian giants Simba SC were left fuming after their 3-1 aggregate loss to Moroccan side RS Berkane.
The second leg, played in Zanzibar, was marred by officiating disputes, red cards, and post-match drama that could trigger CAF sanctions.
Simba entered the return leg needing to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit suffered in Morocco.
Early signs were promising, with Joshua Mutale firing the hosts ahead in the 17th minute to ignite hopes of a comeback.
But things took a sharp turn in the 50th minute when Yusuf Kagoma received a second yellow card, leaving Simba a man down.
The match reached boiling point when a Steve Mukwala goal, which would have tied the aggregate score at 2-2, was ruled out by VAR.
That moment sent tensions soaring among Simba’s players, officials, and supporters.
The final nail in the coffin came deep into stoppage time, when Berkane’s Sidibé Soumaila equalised on the night to seal a 3-1 aggregate win for the Moroccans.
After the final whistle, frustrations boiled over. Videos circulating online show Simba’s management visibly furious after allegedly discovering that match officials had a “guest” inside their room.
The footage sparked questions about potential interference or misconduct, prompting widespread concern about the integrity of the officiating.
Security personnel were forced to intervene as emotions ran high, both on the pitch and behind the scenes.
CAF have opened investigations into several incidents during the Confederation Cup final, including RS Berkane’s delayed reception at the Zanzibar airport, and indiscipline shown by Simba’s technical team.
Inappropriate chants directed at CAF President Patrice Motsepe, and the controversial presence of unauthorised guests in the referees’ dressing room.
Match reports from the commissioner and referee have already been submitted, and CAF is expected to announce disciplinary measures in the coming days.
Watch the video of the heated exchanges below:
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