Azam FC coach Ibengé sorry after Wydad AC setback

After suffering back-to-back defeats, Azam FC coach Florent Ibengé has finally highlighted his Tanzania Premier Mainland League team’s major weakness in the CAF Confederation Cup group-stage.

Much has been expected from the 63-year-old in the Tanzania football circles owing to his experience having managed RS Berkane (Morocco), Al-Hilal Omdurman (Sudan), AS Vita Club (DR Congo), and the DR Congo national team.

Ibengé boasts an impressive trophy cabinet, having won the CAF Confederation Cup, the Moroccan Throne Cup, and the African Nations Championship. However, all has not been rosy for the Congolese coach, especially in the ongoing CAF Confederation Cup.

Azam FC returned to continental cup action in Zanzibar where they welcomed Wydad Casablanca. At the end of 90 minutes, the Moroccans prevailed with a 1-0 victory to make it two straight wins and top Group B.

How Wydad Casablanca beat Azam FC

South African Thembinkosi Lorch provided an assist for Nordin Amrabat to score the Botola Pro team’s lone goal.

In a post-match interview, Ibengé insisted that the final outcome does not reflect his team’s application during the proceedings.

“I feel very sorry for my players because they run a lot. They played a good game, and unfortunately, we didn’t draw or we didn’t win. We lost the game.

The players tried to do a very good job, and as we didn’t get a good result, I am so sad for them. Now, there are four games remaining in this competition. We are going to play them as best as we can to take our first point in this stage.”

The Congolese mentor, who boasts loads of international football experience for national team and club competitions, highlighted one aspect that undermined Azam FC’s performance against Wydad Casablanca.

“I have experience of this tournament but not a lot of my players have this experience,” Ibengé explained.

“We are running a lot. In the first game, we played AS Maniema Union, it wasn’t good but we hope that from the next one, we will take points. The players are improving a lot, and for that I am proud, but it is not finished. Next, we are going to Kenya. We are going to prepare. We are going to do all the best to get points.”

Azam FC’s next assignment in the group is against Nairobi United FC on the weekend of January 25. The most immediate fixture for the Kenyan side in the group is against AS Maniema Union at Nyayo Stadium in the Kenyan capital on Sunday at 13:00 (GMT).