Azam Coach Ibenge Points to Early Season Challenges After Draw
Coach Florent Ibenge of Azam FC is openly discussing his team's readiness for the new season, hinting that they might not be quite championship-ready yet. After a recent draw, he's reflecting on lessons learned from last season's missed opp
It seems Azam FC’s coach, Florent Ibenge, isn't holding back when it comes to his team's early season performance. Following a 1-1 draw against Polisi Tanzania, he’s voiced concerns that the squad might not be fully geared up for the competitive matches ahead in the 2026-2027 season.
This early result feels like a gentle nudge back to last season's struggles. Remember when Azam got stuck in the championship race, largely due to too many draws? They ended up with 10 draws and finished third in the league with 64 points. That put them nine points behind Simba and a full 11 points shy of champions Yanga.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Ibenge openly shared his disappointment, explaining that during that first match on August 15, 2026, his players seemed mentally fatigued. He felt they just couldn't maintain the focus needed to secure a win. He acknowledged Polisi Tanzania played well, but his main concern was his own team's state. “We knew how they play, but we weren't in a good state,” he mentioned, emphasizing that Azam wasn't at the level required.
He's made it clear there's plenty of work to do to bring the team up to his expectations. The coach noted, “It looked like we were tired. We didn’t play with enough attention. We have to improve because in this kind of game, if you want to do better, you have to win.” He also pointed out that Azam's preparations started a bit late, and with new players joining, it takes time to build that vital team chemistry. “Perhaps we are not yet ready. I told them we started preparations late and are not yet ready, but I expect us to do better in our upcoming games.”
Why This Matters
For Azam, the big question now is how to ensure this early draw doesn't set a pattern for the season, echoing last year's challenges. Every point lost early on can make a huge difference in the final championship standings. Just imagine if Azam had turned even five of their ten draws last season into wins – they would have gained 10 extra points, reaching 74, which would have put them ahead of Simba and much closer to Yanga.
Ibenge's goal is to see Azam perform better in all competitions this season. The very first step? Getting the team to win those matches they previously settled for a draw. It’s all about turning those 'almost wins' into definite victories.
Written by Limmizen Newsroom
Originally reported by Mwanaspoti. This piece is a Limmizen rewrite in our own voice.