New dawn as Azam clinch title
Azam FC foward Gaudence Mwaikimba celebrates with teammates after scoring against Mbeya City during their Vodacom Premier League match at Sokoiine Memorial Stadium yesterday. Azam won 2-1. photo | Michael Matemanga
What you need to know:
- Azam now top the elite league with 59 points which are beyond reach for second-placed Young Africans
Mbeya. John Bocco and Gaudence Mwaikimba scored a goal each as Azam FC ended a six-year wait to win the Vodacom Premier League in style yesterday.
Azam, who are unbeaten this season, beat stubborn hosts Mbeya City 2-1 in a tense match at the Sokoine Memorial Stadium.
The Joseph Omog-coached team now top the league with 59 points which are beyond reach for second-placed Young Africans, who came from behind to register a win of similar margin against JKT Oljoro in yesterday’s other league match. Oljoro, who bank on miracles to avoid the drop, seemed destined to cause a major upset when they took the lead in the 68th minute through Jacob Masawe at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium in Arusha. Substitute Rajab Zahir cooled Yanga fans’ nerves in the 71st minute when he cancelled the lead, a few minutes after coming in to replace Ibrahim Job.
Three minutes later, Mrisho Ngassa thrashed whatever hopes Oljoro had of reviving their hopes to avoid relegation at the expense of Yanga when he made it 2-1 for the visitors.
Yanga, who will wind up their league campaign against their arch-rivals Simba on Saturday, can finish runners-up even if they tumble to the Msimbazi Reds. In Mbeya, the tense match started at a cracking pace with both teams pressing up front in turn in search of the match-opener.
Azam ought to have gone up three minutes into the game when striker John Bocco broke through, only to see his close range cleared by goalkeeper David Burhan. Eight minutes later, Azam survived a scare when a diving header by Paul Nonga narrowly missed target with goalkeeper Aishi Manula well beaten.
Azam took the lead in the 45th minute when Mwaikimba connected home a cross by Erasto Nyoni with a sizzling shot before Bocco doubled the lead in the 85th minute. In Dar es Salaam, a 17th minute goal by Mohammed Chibwabwa condemned Simba to a 1-0 defeat at the National Stadium.
Line-ups:
Mbeya City:
David Burhan, Aziz Sibo/Ahmed Kibopile, Hassan Mwasapili, Yusuph Abadallah, Yohana Morris, Anthony Matogoro, Saad Kipenga, Steven Mazanda, Paul Nonga, Mwagane Yeya and Deus Kasele.
Azam FC:
Aishi Manula, Erasto Nyoni, Gadier Mbaga, Said Morard, Aggrey Morris, Kipre Bolou, Himid Mao, Abubakar Salum, Gaudence Mwaikimba, John Bocco and Kipre Tchetche/Kelvin Friday (50th)..
