Zanzibar – With their team facing a daunting 2-0 deficit from the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final, Simba SC fans have transformed Zanzibar into a sea of red and white in a powerful show of unwavering belief and national pride.
As the Tanzanian giants prepare to host Morocco’s RS Berkane on Sunday, May 26, at the New Amaan Complex, anticipation has reached fever pitch.
On Thursday, the streets of Zanzibar especially around Unguja Port, Malindi, Darajani, and Haile Selassie Street erupted in a vibrant and defiant fan rally.
Drums, vuvuzelas, chants, and coordinated dancing filled the air as supporters from both Dar es Salaam and the Isles united under Simba's banner.
Wearing custom T-shirts with the Swahili slogan “Hii Tunabeba” ("We will lift the trophy"), fans created an atmosphere that felt more like a national celebration than a club event.
The rally wasn’t just a display of football loyalty it was a national statement. Former Simba chairman Hassan Dalali addressed the crowd with passionate conviction, evoking a historic parallel.
“In 1993, when the late President Ali Hassan Mwinyi was the guest of honour, the trophy came home. This Sunday, his son, President Hussein Mwinyi, will be present. If the trophy leaves us, we won’t accept it,” Dalali said, positioning Simba’s quest as a matter of national pride.
He continued, “These young men are fighting for more than a club they’re representing Tanzania. Let’s support them without rest. Come to the stadium, make your voices heard, and let’s pray this is our year.”
Dalali’s sentiments were echoed by Chumbuni Member of Parliament and Mwembe Makumbi City owner Ussi Pondeza, who called on fans to begin arriving at the stadium on Saturday.
“This is our chance to honour the legacy of President Mwinyi’s family and to raise our flag high. Let’s fill every seat and show what Tanzanian football means to us.”
While Simba face an uphill battle to overturn a two-goal deficit, the symbolic importance of this match has transcended sport.
Hosting the Confederation Cup final in Zanzibar is a landmark moment for Tanzanian football. It marks the first time the Isles have hosted a continental final of this magnitude, spotlighting Zanzibar’s emerging role as a key player in national sports development.
The match also serves as a broader test of Simba’s character and Tanzania’s football ambitions. RS Berkane, twice CAF Confederation Cup winners in recent years, are no easy opponents.
But Simba’s faithful believe that the weight of history, combined with their players' resilience and fan support, could script an unforgettable comeback.
In a time often marked by division, Simba’s CAF run has unified Tanzanians across regions and backgrounds.
The fanfare in Zanzibar is not just about chasing a trophy it’s about identity, heritage, and the hope that football, at its best, can bind a nation together.
As Simba SC enter the second leg with their backs against the wall, they do so buoyed by a groundswell of belief. The fans have made their message clear: Despite the odds, this trophy belongs in Tanzania.
And as Sunday approaches, the question remains not just whether Simba can overturn the score but whether Zanzibar’s roar can echo loudly enough to carry them to glory.