Azam claim away advantage
JUBA: AZAM FC made a strong start to the CAF Confederation Cup campaign with a 2-0 away victory over South Sudan’s Al Merreikh Bentiu at the Juba National Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Tanzanian side established control early and maintained dominance throughout the match, setting the tone for the two-legged tie. Goals in either half from Feisal Salum and Jephte Kitambala gave Azam a vital cushion ahead of next weekend’s return fixture at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam.
Azam signalled their intent inside six minutes. Kitambala broke forward on the counter after a move launched down the left, but his low strike was blocked by Al Merreikh goalkeeper Monged Elneel, who reacted quickly to deny the opener.
Pressure continued to mount and in the 21st minute, Salum pounced on a loose ball in the area following a failed clearance. With defenders scrambling, the midfielder struck low and hard past Elneel to give the visitors the lead.
Moments later, Azam nearly doubled their advantage. A low delivery from Nathaniel Chilambo on the right found Kitambala inside the area, but his effort glanced narrowly wide.
Despite a series of chances, the first half ended with Azam holding a one-goal advantage, their defence largely untested as Al Merreikh struggled to break into the final third.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Five minutes after the restart, Iddi Selemani tested Elneel with a powerful effort from range, but the Al Merreikh goalkeeper kept his side in the contest with a full-stretch save.
Azam’s second came in the 68th minute. Baraket Lhmidi surged down the left and delivered a measured ball across the face of goal. Kitambala arrived on cue, finishing with a single touch to double the lead.
As the match wore on, Azam pushed for a third. Substitute Abdul Suleiman came closest; his curling shot from outside the area rattling the woodwork as the final minutes ticked away.
The final whistle confirmed a crucial away victory for Azam, who return home with a two-goal advantage ahead of the second leg. The aggregate winner of the tie will face either AS Port or KMKM in the next round.
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In other CAF inter-club action, Zanzibar’s Mlandege SC endured a setback in the CAF Champions League. Playing in Addis Ababa, they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Ethiopia Insurance at the Abebe Bikila Stadium.
The return leg is scheduled for next weekend at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar. The aggregate winner will move on to face either APR FC of Rwanda or Egypt’s Pyramids FC.
