Fadlu Davids eyes control in the crucial CAF Confederation Cup final

The clash at 9 pm, South African time, at Stade Municipal de Berkane, with the second leg scheduled for next week in Zanzibar.

Berkane have had a very good run in this tournament, and don’t usually concede a lot, and an away goal could be crucial for Simba. Davids knows what is at stake.

"It's very important for us to manage the moments of the game and this is where we talk about experience, this is where probably more experience are able to manage different moments and of course playing at this stadium,” Davids said.

“We know the stadium, we know the coach, it's very important for our players to focus us on football and if they all have clear objectives in terms of the game plan, what they should do with the ball, what they should do without the ball and of course stick to our style, stick to our philosophy and how we approach the game.

“Try to play this high-intensity football. We know what to expect in terms of Berkane because they've had more or less the same squad. Some very key signings and their goalkeeper, their right back coming into the squad, are key players for them. The goalkeeper has been a revelation since he took over."

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Simba has had a difficult route to the final, playing against the likes of Algeria’s CS Constantine, Al Ahli Tripoli, and Egyptian top side Al Masry, Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien, and Stellenbosch FC.

Davids says this good run has given them the chance to prepare the team thoroughly for the continental phase.

"We've got a very difficult route to the final, in the prelim we've already gotta beat tough tests in Al Ahli Tripoli and already in that moment, we prepare the players for CAF football because playing in the Tanzania league and playing in CAF it's completely different and we've grown as a team throughout each stage,” he explained.

“Playing away from home for the first time for the players in 40 000 [capacity stadium] in Tripoli was a true test for me, seeing which players can manage the crowd hostility."