A dispute over the venue for the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final between Simba of Tanzania and Renaissance Berkane of Morocco has overshadowed the highly anticipated match in Zanzibar.
Despite Simba’s preference to host the match at the 60,000-seat Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ruled that the match will be played at the 15,000-seater Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
The dispute began after CAF deemed the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium unsuitable for the title decider following an inspection. This decision came after Simba was forced to move their semi-final match against Stellenbosch to Zanzibar due to the poor state of the pitch at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Simba owner Mo Dewji expressed his disappointment with the decision, stating that it was “disheartening” for the team and their supporters. However, he vowed that the team would fulfill their duty with unity, purpose, and pride.
Berkane, who are seeking a record-equalling third Confederation Cup title, reportedly received a cool reception upon arrival in Zanzibar. The team faced technical issues at passport control, which forced them to spend several hours at the airport. A spokesman for the Moroccan club described the conditions as “chaotic, unacceptable, and unworthy of a continental competition of this level.”
The stakes are high, with the winners of the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League set to receive $2 million (1.8 million euros) and the runners-up $1 million. The match promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams looking to emerge victorious.
