Azam FC book Esperance date

        Dar es Salaam. Azam FC cruised into the second round of the CAF Confederations Cup thanks to a 7-3 goal aggregate victory over Bidvest Wits of South Africa.

The Chamazi moneybags welcomed the Clever Boys at the Azam Complex yesterday with the former triumphing 4-3 in an entertaining match.

Azam FC won the first round, first leg tie 3-0 in South Africa last week, so the visitors were hoping to overturn the deficit at the 5,000-seater stadium.

The Wits managed to contain Azam in the opening stages of the encounter.

However, Ramadhani Singano and Kipré Tchetche combined to hand Azam the lead much to the delight of the home side in the 25th minute.

Singano’s cross found Tchetche inside the Clever Boys box and the latter headed home to make it 1-0 to Azam.

The Stewart Hall’s men continued to raid the Wits’ areas regularly and their efforts paid off when they doubled their lead in the 42nd minute.

Stalwart captain John Bocco beat Wits goalkeeper Jethren Barr to extend Azam’s lead.

But Jabulani Shongwe pulled one back for the Wits on the stroke of half-time.

Azam were leading 5-1 on aggregate at half-time.

Azam continued their dominance over a second string Wits side in the second-half as they dominated possession. It did not come as a surprise as Ivorian striker Tchetche grabbed his brace a few minutes after the restart to make it 3-1 to Azam on the day.

The Clever Boys responded with a goal and it was promising youngster Abednego Mosiatlhaga who netted for the visitors in the 64th minute.

Tchetche completed his hat-trick in the dying minutes of the game, while Henrico Botes netted a late consolation goal for the Wits and the match ended 4-3 to Azam.

Azam will now take on Tunisian giants Espérance de Tunis in the second round mid next month.