Two-time CAF Confederation Cup champions RS Berkane have one hand on the trophy after beating Tanzanian side Simba 2-0 in the first leg of this year’s final.

The Moroccan outfit hosted the first leg at the Berkane Municipal Stadium on Saturday.

Fourteen minutes into the clash, Berkane were already two goals up, with Simba on the ropes. Mamadou Camara and Oussama Lamlaoui were on the scoresheet for the home side.

Berkane were denied a third goal on the hour mark after Youssef Mehri’s effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR check.

However, Fadlu Davids’s charges survived an onslaught to hold out for a respectable score, with no more goals conceded.

The second leg will be played in Zanzibar on Sunday, 25 May, which has infuriated Simba because their actual home is the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

CAF, however, has explained its position to move the game to the 10,000-seater Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.

“Following a series of detailed technical assessments carried out by CAF’s international pitch consultants, and taking into account the current rainy season in Tanzania, it has been strongly recommended – purely from a technical standpoint – that the final be held at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar,” CAF general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba stated in a letter to the Tanzanian Football Federation and Simba.

“This decision has been taken after thorough consultations, with the sole objective of ensuring the best possible sporting conditions and experience for the players and fans. It is in no way a reflection of the outstanding efforts made by TFF and its leadership, for which we remain deeply grateful. We look forward to working closely with your team to ensure a smooth and successful organization of the final in Zanzibar.”