CAF Confederation Cup: Azam FC slaughter KMKM for group stage ticket

Tanzania will be represented by at least one club in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage following Azam FC’s lopsided 7-0 second leg victory over Zanzibar’s KMKM on Friday. The Dar es Salaam club booked their ticket to the group stage with a dominant 9-0 aggregate victory in the final qualifying stage.

Any slim hopes the Zanzibari Cup champions had of a comeback from a 0-2 first leg defeat were quickly dashed after twenty scoreless minutes to begin Friday’s second leg. Once Tanzania international winger Iddy Nado opened the scoring, the floodgates were opened for the hosts at the Azam Complex.

Powerful Congolese striker Jephte Kitambala scored twice in the first half before Nado added his second goal to leave Azam ahead 4-0 by halftime. The second half was a celebration as Abdul Sopu scored twice and Pascal Msindo contributed with a goal of his own.

 

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The full time whistle arrived to confirm Azam FC’s first-ever qualification for the Confederation Cup group stage, a challenge the club has prepared well for with several notable foreign player signings and a strong group of domestic talent that includes Nado, Msindo, Sopu and of course Tanzania national team playmaker Feisal “Fei Toto” Salum.

With experienced Congolese coach Florent Ibenge in charge, last season’s third place finishers in the Ligi Kuu Bara Tanzania are certainly a potential contender.

The club’s supporters will eagerly anticipate their future opponents in the group stage when the draw is conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 3.