Azam seek to downsize Tunisian giant

 

THE country representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup, Azam are determined to upset the mighty Espérance Sportive de Tunis in their first leg second round match at Azam Complex in Chamazi, Dar es Salaam this weekend.

The Tunisia topflight league, one of the major players CAF-backed tournament, are expected to jet in today ahead of the Sunday’s clash against Azam who are hoping to utilise the home ground advantage to claim a vital win over the North Africans.

Speaking with the ‘Daily News’, Azam FC Information Officer, Jafari Iddi said Azam look to upset the visitors regardless their reputation in their impressive record in their continental level events. Azam, he said, wants to write a better history and that is expected on Sunday.

He said the home advantage put them in a better position of proceeding into the next round. “Our opponents (Esperance) are expected to jet in tomorrow (today) by a private jet which will fly direct from Tunis to Dar es Salaam and estimated time of their arrival is 22:00 hours.

The team will be staying at Bahari Beach Hotel,” he disclosed. Furthermore, Idd added that preparations for the Sunday’s encounter are going on well as the match officials from South Africa are expected to arrive today in the evening ready for the encounter.

However, the Azam spokesman revealed bad news for the club supporters as the in-form fullback Shomari Kapombe will miss the Sunday’s encounter after he was rushed to South Africa for medical checkup after falling ill.

The on fire Kapombe is expected to be back in the squad ready for the return leg match to be held on April 20 in Tunis. Despite missing the services of the overlapping fullback who is among the key players, Azam spokesman said his absence won’t stop them from attaining their victory; although they know they have an uphill task to achieve it.

“We know we have a herculean task ahead as we are facing a great team, but with our preparations we are determined to achieve our ambition as we also have a better squad, ” he disclosed.

Azam who had a busy week ahead of the Sunday’s encounter, had to play two domestic league games in a row which the club has unveiled them as part of their preps ahead of the Sunday’s limelight game with Esperance. Both games ended in draw.

Azam drew 1-1 with Toto Africans at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza before being forced to 2-2 draw by visiting Ndanda FC. Azam eliminated South African premier league side Bidvet Wits after winning 7-3 on aggregate. They won 3-0 away in South Africa before finishing their opponents off with 4-3 victory in Dar es Salaam last week.