Azam seek to polish strikers after slim wins

AZAM FC head coach Zeben Hernandez will need to go back to the drawing board to lay down ways to sharpen his striking force after an unimpressive goal return during their training tour of Zanzibar.

The Dar es Salaam tycoons wound up their preseason training camp of Zanzibar with a slim 1-0 win over Jang’ombe in a thrilling buildup match at the Amaan Stadium on Friday night. It was the second and final game in the spicy Islands for Zeben Hernandez’s charges as they continued their groundwork for the new season.

The last season’s premier league runners-up had secured same margin win against Mjini Combine team in their first game of the Isles tour last Wednesday. Speaking during a post match meeting, Hernandez said he was satisfied with his side’s winning run in preseason matches but conceded there is room for improvement. The Spanish trainer said while his boys showed yet another good game, they still have to work on their finishing ahead of new league season.

Attacking midfielder Hamis Mcha scored the lone goal of the match five minutes into the Friday’s encounter after receiving a Michael Bolou pass. The flying winger beat an offside trick before rounding off Jang’ombe goalie Ahmed Selemani.

The goal would prove the winner in the end. Azam created enough attacks to walk away with a handsome win but inept finishing and some resolute defending by the Isles side had them settling for a slender victory as it was the case in their previous encounter.

It was a preseason game and Azam’s Spanish coach made a flurry of changes on resumption with eight players giving way for others to get valuable minutes and, for new recruits, chance to try and impress Hernandez. Those who entered the fray at the restart were two imported strikers; Burundian Fuadi Ndayisenga, scorer of the winner against Mjini Combine and Ivorian Ibrahima Fofana.

They were joined by defenders Ismail Gambo and Gadiel Michael; midfilders Mudathir Yahya, Masoud Abdallah, Salum Abubakar and another striker Brian Abbas.

The second half saw an improved Jang’ombe side but despite the hosts looking more livilier, Azam continued to boss the proceedings and had its striking force to blame for the slim win as the trio of Fofana, Ndayisenga and Abbas squandered plenty of scoring chances.

The Ice Cream makers returned to their base in Dar es Salaam yesterday to continue their preparations ahead of the League’s kick-off scheduled for August 20