Tanzania: Here is the secret behind record-breaking success of Azam FC's junior team

Dar es Salaam. Azam FC's Under-17 team has achieved an unprecedented feat by winning the championship three consecutive times without a single loss, a remarkable accomplishment credited to a number of factors.

The team’s coach Mohammed Badru, who previously managed Gwambina FC and Mtibwa Sugar in the Tanzanian Premier League, shares insights into how his coaching strategies contributed to the team’s dominance over rivals like Vincent Barnabas's Yanga and John Bocco's Simba.

Badru, whose coaching career began in England, initially earned significant income from parents eager for his development programs. Despite his success abroad, he chose to return to Tanzania to impact local football. Upon receiving an offer from Azam FC, Badru was motivated by the club’s commitment to nurturing youth talent and dedicated himself to ensuring their success.

"When I joined Azam FC, I was impressed by the club's vision for its youth teams. I worked diligently to elevate the players' skills and foster team cohesion," Badru said. His approach involved treating each player with personal care, drawing on psychological techniques learned in England to address their individual needs.

Badru's training sessions were carefully designed to be engaging and varied, steering clear of making practice sessions overly competitive.

He also recognized and addressed common challenges in Tanzanian youth soccer, such as players maturing too quickly, by creating a supportive environment conducive to their growth.

In his debut season at Azam FC (2021/22), Badru led the U17 team to an impressive 34 points, winning 11 matches and drawing one while keeping ten clean sheets. The following season (2022/23), the team amassed 41 points from 13 victories and two draws. This season, under Badru’s leadership, the team won ten matches, drew three, and secured the championship, finishing ahead of prominent rivals Simba and Yanga.

Badru’s innovative approach and commitment to player development have played a pivotal role in Azam FC's unprecedented success in youth football.

Bocco's potential

Badru publicly praises John Bocco, noting the impact Bocco's performance with Simba U17 had on him. Badru, who has been a significant force in Tanzanian youth football, admitted that Bocco’s skill and potential kept him awake at night, even when his own team was at the top of the league.

Badru has always recognized Bocco’s exceptional talent and believes that with the right opportunities, Bocco could achieve remarkable success. “Bocco has demonstrated that he is an outstanding coach, and I personally foresee a bright future for him. While I anticipated he would finish the season with his team, it's encouraging to see him move on to new opportunities with JKT Tanzania,” Badru commented.

Pride in Kachwele

Badru is celebrating the success of Cyprian Kachwele, who has caught the attention of Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Badru, who trained Kachwele in multiple positions, initially deploying him as a defender to build his foundational skills, is proud of how this strategy has contributed to Kachwele’s attacking prowess.

“Cyprian is a player with exceptional drive. In his first season under my guidance, he emerged as the top scorer in the youth league. I see a very bright future for him,” Badru commented, reflecting on Kachwele’s achievements.

Badru also emphasizes a significant challenge in youth football: inadequate preparation at lower levels, which he believes hampers players’ transitions to senior teams. He maintains that his coaching methods, though not boastful, have effectively prepared his players for first-team opportunities at Azam FC.

“I have players who have been called up for first-team training by coach Dabo, which clearly shows that my methods align with the team’s needs. It’s not surprising if these players start making a significant impact in the near future,” Badru said.

He advocates for greater opportunities for young players, pointing out that experienced players are often favored due to the pressure for immediate results. “Sometimes, the issue is trust. Coaches may lean towards experienced players under pressure, forgetting that youth players can also contribute significantly to achieving results,” Badru noted.

Ethiopian speculations

Regarding discussions with Fasil Ketema FC in Ethiopia, Badru smiles and says it's best to wait and see.

"I’m eager for a new challenge, but I can’t say yet where I will be next season. I can assure you that there are clubs interested in me, even within Tanzania, but I haven’t made any decisions yet. I currently hold a CAF B license," he concludes.