Azam FC shift focus on league
Yanga SC forward Deus Kaseke (centre) makes his way past Azam FC defender Serge Wawa (right) and midfielder Farid Mussa during their Community Shield match at the National Stadium on Saturday.
Photo | Said Khamis
What you need to know:
The Chamazi-based outfit and Yanga played out a goalless draw in regulation time, but the former fell to a 8-7 loss in post-match kick
Dar es Salaam. Azam FC head coach Stewart Hall has shifted focus on the Vodacom Premier League after failing to break their Community Shield jinx on Saturday.
The Chamazi-based outfit and Yanga played out a goalless draw in regulation time, but the former fell to a 8-7 post-match kicks.
However, Hall whose side clinched the 2015 Kagame Cup in fine style early this month has played down the impact of the defeat on his team’s bid to reclaim the Premier League title.
The British tactician said Azam FC deserved victory in normal time, but lack of concentration from his forwards cost the team.
“We had an upper hand for long spells of the match, we created more chances than they did, we can only blame ourselves for failing to convert them,” said the English coach.
“Losing is part of the game and that can’t be a criterion to define our 2015/16 season. We have a good team and I am looking forward to a good response when the league kicks off.”
Hall, who led Azam to their first ever Cecafa Kagame Cup triumph, has so far led the Chamazi moneybags to 14 matches without conceding a goal in open play.
Azam won the regional tournament unbeaten and the goals they conceded were on post-match shootouts.
“We have left the defeat behind us and I have told my players especially strikers not to fluff chances like we did against Yanga. I am confident that Azam will come back stronger,” he said.
On Saturday, goalie Ali Mustafa was the hero of the Jangwani street-based club saving Pascal Wawa’s penalty as well as Ame Ali’s while his counterpart Aishi Manula could only save Nadir Haroub’s.
Ivorian Kipre Tchetche, captain John Bocco, midfield maestro Himid Mao, Aggrey Morris, Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza, Erasto Nyoni, and Shomari Kapombe netted their kicks for the Bakhresa family sponsored club. On the other hand, Haruna Niyonzima, Deus Kaseke, Amissi Tambwe, Andrey Coutinho, Godfrey Mwashuiya, Thabani Kamusoko, Mbuyu Twite all scored for Yanga with experienced central defender Kelvin Yondani slotting home the winning kick.
It was the fifth Community Shield triumph for Yanga in history after beating Simba SC twice, in 2001 and 2010 before beating Azam FC three consecutive years, 2013 and 2014.
