Ibengé picks areas Azam FC must improve ahead of Simba SC showdown

Ahead of their first ‘Mzizima derby’ of the Tanzanian Premier League this campaign, Azam FC head coach Florent Ibengé has highlighted key areas he wants his side to improve on before taking on unbeaten giants Simba SC on Sunday.

While the Msimbazi Reds will head into the derby buoyed by the 3-0 win against Mbeya City, the Ice Cream Makers struggled to break down Singida Black Stars in their 0-0 draw.

The 64-year-old Ibengé is now calling on his players to improve in the final third and use their chances if they are to get something from Simba side, who have won all their opening four league matches.

Apart from winning the four, Simba have also conceded the list goals in one, while scoring 11 in the process.

‘They are not so efficient, not so calm’

“We stay positive. We are going to work a lot in order to be more efficient,” said Ibengé as quoted by the Guardian after the Singida draw. “When the team creates chances that means you are working really hard for that.

“But what do your players need just to put the ball in the back of the net? They are not so efficient, not so calm. They miss the lucidity in the box.”

He added: “They have to be calmer, to scan more, and to make a good decision, because each time they make the wrong decision. Instead of shooting, they make a pass; instead of making a pass, they shoot. Technically, also in the box, they were not good. That’s a constant, so we have to work to improve that.”

The stalemate against Singida marked Azam’s third consecutive draw in the top-flight and left them with only one win from their opening four league fixtures.

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