Azam FC forward Diddier Kavumbagu evades a tackle from JKT Ruvu defender George Minja during their Vodacom Premier League match at Karume Stadium yesterday. Azam won 4-2. PHOTO | OMAR FUNGO
What you need to know:
Didier Kavumbagu, John Bocco, and Kipre Tchetche were on target as the Chamazi-based outfit opened a two-point lead at the top of the 16-team table.
Dar es Salaam. Azam FC climbed to the top of the Vodacom Premier League thanks to a 4-2 victory over JKT Ruvu at Karume Stadium yesterday.
Didier Kavumbagu, John Bocco, and Kipre Tchetche were on target as the Chamazi-based outfit opened a two-point lead at the top of the 16-team table.
They have so far racked up 22 points after eight matches followed by the defending champions, Young Africans with 20.
Mtibwa Sugar sit third with 19 points as resurgent Simba SC occupy the fourth sport with 18 points after a similar number of matches.
For JKT Ruvu, it was another day to forget as their winless run continued. They are positioned at the bottom of the table with two points out of a possible 27 points.
This is their worst start to the topflight league since their promotion to the Vodacom Premier League.
At Sokoine Stadium, Tanzania Prisons hosted African Sports and managed to condemn the Tanga-based team to a 1-0 defeat.
Prisons moved to the sixth place, tying with fifth-placed Stand United, with 16 points. Both have played nine matches.
The interest-generating match was however, at the Karume ground where the Stewart Hall’s men went to the summit of the table for the first time this season.
Kavumbagu gave his side the lead in the fifth minute after latching onto Kipre Balou’s pass before sending a powerful shot past stunned Shaban Dihile.
The Burundian, who was the man of the match, delivered a teasing cross two minutes later, which Bocco converted to make it 2-0.
However, JKT Ruvu came out of their blocks afterwards, but had to wait until the half-hour mark to pull one back through Najim Magula. Azam went to the break with a 2-1 lead.
After the recess, Azam looked a more energised team, sending a series of shockwaves to the JKT Ruvu side.
The Chamazi moneybags hit their third goal in the 64th minute from a spot kick, which was expertly taken by Bocco.
JKT Ruvu reduced the deficit five minute later through Emmanuel Pius who capitalised on Azam’s defensive mix-up.
Hopes of salvaging a point were dashed a few minutes before the final whistle when Tchetche scored a superb goal off Kavumbagu’s pass.
Line-ups
JKT Ruvu: Shaaban Dihile, Michael Aidan, Paul Mhidze, Renatus Morris, George Minja, Hamisi Shengo, Mussa Juma, Issa Ngao, Gaudence Mwaikimba/Samuel Kamuntu, Najim Magulu/Abdulrahim Mussa and Saady Kipanga/Emmanuel Pius.
Azam FC; Aishi Manula, Shomari Kapombe, Said Mourad, Aggrey Morris, Serge Wawa, Kipre Bolou/Himid Mao, Salum Abubakar, Jean Mugiraneza, John Bocco/Kipre Tchetche, Didier Kavumbangu and Farid Mussa/Erasto Nyoni.
