AZAM Head Coach Abdihamid Moallin has called on his side to improve saying he is never satisfied when they drop essential points at home venue saying they need to learn from setbacks.
His sentiments came after being held to a 1-1 draw by Geita Gold in their second round match which has seen them reaping four points in two encounters as the visitors came from behind to flatten the curve.
Each half produced one goal with Azam taking the lead in 41st minute via Tepsi Evance but Geita Gold responded in the 54th minute courtesy of Adeyum Saleh whose smartly taken free-kick was too hot for Azam’s shot-stopper Ali Ahamada.
Up next, the Chamazi giants will visit the defending champions Young Africans for a third round league fixture slated at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in the city on September 6th, one of hard to predict schedule as both teams have potential to seize maximum three points after the final whistle.
“In the first half, we had control of the game and in the second half, our tempo went down…that is what happened. When you give a team like Geita Gold some hope, they come back in the game like they did in the second half.
“Of course, we have a good team as such, we should improve and continue learning and for some guys we have in the team, it was their first time to play against Geita Gold…now they understand that the league is going to be difficult like I usually tell them,” he said.
Additionally, he pointed out that the game versus Geita Gold was a learning platform ahead of playing Yanga in their upcoming match saying they need to be ready before facing the holders.
“I think we can improve…I am never happy when we drop crucial points at home so we have a lot of improvements to make and I am not pleased but it is part of the game,” he said.
His counterpart for Geita Gold Felix Minziro was however satisfied with the outcome saying getting a point from Azam away is not a thing to be taken for granted.
“Our game plan was to get all three points and if that fails, I told my players to fight for at least a draw which in the end we have achieved. We approached the game with pressure mainly after losing our first encounter 3-0 to Simba but I am happy with what we have achieved,” he said.
Both Azam and Geita Gold will represent the country in CAF Confederation Cup contest hence aside of fulfilling league requirements, they are also using the games to rehearsal for the approaching international duels.
They won the tickets to represent the in CAF Confederation Cup after finishing on third and fourth slots respectively on last season’s league table and football fraternity are anxiously waiting to establish how the duo will fly high the national colours.
