TANZANIAN NEW BOYS AMBITIOUS IN AFRICA

 

A newly professional club, Azam FC's rise in Tanzanian football has been nothing short of meteoric, and when the draw for next year's CAF Champions League is made, the seven-year old club will be in the mix. FIFA.com tells the story of this unlikely newcomer on the African football scene.

Azam was formed out of the need of workers from one of the companies belonging to the Bakhresa Group, the Mzizima wheat flour factory to keep healthy and do something in their spare time.

They did well in the lower leagues and were given financial blessing by Mr. Abubakar Bakhresa, the director of the company, to pursue life as a football club. Within a few seasons of having received support from the Bakhresa Group in 2007, the club was campaigning in the Tanzanian Premier League.

An eighth-place finish in their first season, was followed by a third place and then a pair of runners-up spots in the league before they won the domestic trophy for the first time this year - just seven years after their founding.

The recent success coincides with arrival at the club of German-trained coach Joseph Marius Omog who took Congo club AC Leopards to a sensational win in the CAF Confederations Cup in 2012 and a year later to the group phase of the Champions League. Azam fans are hoping he will duplicate that level of success with their club.
But it is not only on the field of play that the club see their mission. Nassor Idrissa, who is one of the founding members of the club and is currently its general-secretary, explained that the club is part of the business and cultural life of the country. “In our case football not only provides employment, but also pleasure to Tanzanian football lovers and it contributes to the development of the national sport.”

And although the biggest part of the club's income still comes from the Bakhresa Group, they are working on plans to ensure that the entity will be self-sufficient within the foreseeable future. “We aim to achieve that through sponsorship, merchandising and transfers," said Idrissa.

Youth development bearing fruit

Azam invests heavily in youth development and the success of this program is clearly evident as several youngsters from the club's academy, have been called up to the senior national team - a remarkable half-dozen players still in their teens. One of those players Aishi Manula, who competes with his older brother Mwadini for the No1 jersey, joined the club as a 15-year-old explains the upward trend of Azam.

“The club gave me not just football training but also accommodation and education. I am not sure if other clubs do that for young players, but I feel privileged to be one of the few players to get this opportunity. Azam is the only club in Tanzania with world class training facilities. I am sure most players dream to be part of Azam FC to have access to all these facilities.”
Manula was involved in the club's CAF Confederations Cup campaign earlier this year, saying it captured the imagination of local supporters. “There was huge media coverage and goodwill wishes from fans all over the country. My Twitter and Facebook accounts were very busy during that time.”

And he is eagerly awaiting the start of the Champions League. “Now that I am a member of the national team and first choice goalkeeper of the national U-20 side and the club, it is something to really look forward to. I am ready to represent my club and looking at the squad we have, I believe we will surprise Africa.”

Big plans

Currently still ranked fifth in popularity behind the likes of Yanga SC, Simba SC, Mbeya City FC and Coastal Union SC, who can look back at much longer traditions, the management of the club nonetheless have big plans. “We are growing our fan base and a run of 38 matches without defeat did wonders to bring new fans to the club. But we are also aiming to become a major force in Africa. Our target is to reach the group phase of the Champions League and we have the dream of lifting the trophy in the next three years,” Idrissa said.

“It is difficult to say how we will fare in the Champions League, but having 13 Tanzanian national team players, and five quality professional players from other countries, I think we are ready for the challenge. The issue here is we need to combine the readiness of the players and club history. I think as a club we lack history which we want to build.”

When the club was formed, the short term goal was to get into the Premier League and sustain its place. “The midterm goals were to create a club playing philosophy, create a club identity, construct the club training centre and establish a world class academy. Our long-term goals are to make the club one of Africa’s giants and to find a way to balance the club accounts."

Idrissa is proud that the club is well ahead of its goals. “We gave ourselves the first 15 years to create the foundation of the club. We never thought we will be champions this early or attract as many supporters as we have. We have also started attracting sponsors. Let's wait and see what we will achieve in African competition next season.”


FIFA.COM