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Joy for rivals as Azam FC sent packing

Defender Abdul Aziz Makame of Mafunzo (right) controls the ball as Azam FC’s Invorian sttiker Kipre Tchetche tries to challenge him during their Mapinduzi Cup match at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar. PHOTO | KHATIM NAHEKA

What you need to know:

Azam FC’s hopes for the 2016 Mapinduzi Cup title went up in thin air yesterday when they succumbed to a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Mafunzo in an exciting Group B match at the Amaan Stadium here.

Zanzibar. Azam FC’s hopes for the 2016 Mapinduzi Cup title went up in thin air yesterday when they succumbed to a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Mafunzo in an exciting Group B match at the Amaan Stadium here.

The Kagame Cup champions, who were highly tipped to make it to the semi finals, wound up their campaign in the annual tournament without a win.

Coached by Stewart Hall, the ice cream makers battled to 1-1 draw with Mtibwa Sugar in their first match before dropping two more points in their one-all draw with Young Africans.

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Mafunzo’s Habib Sadik is the player who brought tears to the Azam camp. He scored the match-winner deep into injury time to send the home team’s fans into wild cheers.

Playing without their regular goal-scorer and team captain John Bocco, Azam appeared set for a win when they broke the stalemate in the 20th minute through Ivorian striker Kipre Tchetche off a well-taken corner by Shomari Kapombe.

Looking unperturbed, Mafunzo pressed upfront relentlessly in search of an equaliser. Their efforts paid off in the 35th minute when Rashid Abdallah made it 1-1 after he was set by Ali Hassan.

Azam’s elimination means Yanga and Mtibwa Sugar, who were expected to clash last night, are through to the semifinals from the group. They had four points each before the clash. The tournament continues today with two Group A matches.

Line ups:

Azam FC: Ivo Mapunda, Shomary Kapombe/Khamis Mcha, Erasto Nyoni, Serge Wawa, Abdallah Kheri, Farid Mussa/Ramadhani Singano, Abubakar Salum, Mudathir Yahaya/Frank Domayo dk, Allan Wanga, Kipre Bolou/Ame Ali and Kipre Tchetche.

Mafunzo; Khalid Haji, Juma Mmanga/Kheri Salum, Haji Mwambe, Haji Hassan, Said Shaaban, Ali Hassan/Jermaine Seif dk58, Samih Nuhu/Ahmed Maulid, Hassan Juma, Abdulaziz Makame, Rashid Abdallah na Shaaban Ali/Sadick Habib.

In the headlines