The Ghost of Berkane returns to haunt Fadlu Davids in CAF Confederation Cup final ?
South African born coach Fadlu Davids now coaching Tanzanian giants Simba SC in the CAF Confederation Cup
Image: BACKPAGEPIX
Fadlu Davids is staring down the barrel of another CAF Confederation Cup heartbreak — and, once again, it's RS Berkane threatening to write the same tragic script.
Now in charge of Tanzanian giants Simba SC, the South African coach watched his side slump to a 2-0 first leg defeat against the Moroccan outfit on Saturday night — a result that draws uncomfortable parallels with his last dance at this stage of the competition.
In 2022, Davids stood on the verge of continental glory as co-coach of Orlando Pirates, only to suffer a gut-wrenching loss to the same opponents on penalties in Uyo, Nigeria. Two years on, it's déjà vu for the 43-year-old tactician.
This time, the pain came early. Simba were stunned in the opening quarter of an hour as Berkane flew out the blocks in the first leg final at the Berkane Municipal Stadium. A whipped corner from Hamza El Moussaoui in the eighth minute was met by Mamadou Camara, who powered a header home to give the hosts the perfect start.
Six minutes later, it got worse as Oussama Lamlaoui doubled the lead, finishing off a slick move initiated by Imad Riahi, leaving Simba reeling and Davids with a mountain to climb in the second leg.
'I think we were prepared tactically for the match, especially the first 20 minutes,' Davids told the media post-match.
'Berkane at home scores a lot of goals in the first 20 minutes with the pressure, so we were tactically prepared, but not emotionally prepared, my players were a little bit overwhelmed by the occasion, by the pressure.'
Despite the early collapse, the former Maritzburg United boss isn't throwing in the towel just yet. With the return leg scheduled for May 25 at home in Dar es Salaam, Davids believes all is not lost.
'The final is played over two legs and we have a chance to get back to the drawing board and plan better,' he said.
'We conceded two early goals which put us on a back footing, but I am optimistic we can still perform better in the return leg.'
Berkane, champions in 2020 and 2022, are now within touching distance of a third CAF Confederation Cup title in five years, and they've shown they know exactly how to manage big occasions.
For Simba, the mission is clear: rewrite the narrative of their only previous final appearance in this competition — a runners-up finish way back in 1993 — and finally get their hands on the trophy.
Davids, whose coaching career has had its share of ups and downs, knows how quickly momentum can swing in a two-legged tie. But unless Simba conjures something special in front of their home fans, the ghost of Berkane could haunt the South African coach once again — just as it did in 2022.
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