They currently sit third in Group B with nine points, level with second placed Maniema Union of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup, Azam FC, depart today for Casablanca, Morocco, ahead of their decisive Group B encounter against Wydad Club Athletic scheduled for Sunday.
The match will determine whether Azam’s continental campaign continues into the quarterfinals or comes to an end at the group stage.
Azam FC travel under challenging circumstances after leaving the country aboard Egyptian Air without three key players.
According to the club’s Information Manager Thabit Zacharia, popularly known as Zakazakazi, midfielder Sadio Kanoute and defenders Issa Fofana and Nassor Saadun were unable to make the trip due to different reasons.
Zacharia explained that Kanoute, who scored the crucial winning goal against Union Maniema in Zanzibar, could not travel because his passport had expired.
Although the Malian midfielder has already renewed his passport, it has not yet been returned from his home country. “We have been waiting for it, but our efforts have not yet succeeded, so Kanoute could not travel with the team,” said Zacharia.
He added that Fofana and Saadun are both nursing injuries and were not declared fit to travel for the crucial encounter. Despite these setbacks, Azam FC remain firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stage.
They currently sit third in Group B with nine points, level with second placed Maniema Union of the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, Maniema hold the advantage on goal difference, having a superior tally of plus two compared to Azam’s zero.
The situation leaves Azam facing a complex equation. They must secure victory against Wydad Club Athletic in their final group match to stand any chance of qualification.
Wydad top the group with twelve points and have already booked their place in the quarterfinals, meaning they have no competitive pressure going into the match.
However, Wydad’s lack of immediate stakes does not make the task easier for Azam. The Moroccan giants possess vast experience, squad depth and a strong home record, particularly when playing in Casablanca. Azam will therefore need a disciplined and composed performance to overcome one of Africa’s most established clubs.
At the same time, Azam’s fate does not rest entirely in their own hands. They will also be closely monitoring events in Kinshasa, where Maniema Union host bottom placed Nairobi United. Any victory for Maniema Union would automatically eliminate Azam from the competition, regardless of the result in Casablanca.
For Azam to progress, they need a combination of results in their favour.
A win against Wydad coupled with either a draw or a defeat for Maniema Union would see the Tanzanian side advance to the quarterfinals. The margin for error is therefore extremely small.
If both Azam and Maniema Union were to win their respective matches, qualification would be decided by head to head record. In that scenario, Maniema Union would advance, having beaten Azam two nil in Kinshasa.
Although Azam managed a one nil victory in the return leg at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar, the aggregate score still favours the Congolese side.
Sunday’s fixtures will therefore not only decide which team progresses, but also provide a clear reflection of Azam FC’s growth on the continental stage. The match will test the club’s depth, mental strength and ability to perform under pressure, especially in the absence of key players.
Beyond Azam FC, the outcome will also speak volumes about the competitiveness of Tanzanian clubs in continental competitions.
As the country prepares to co host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, performances like these offer an important measure of how close, or how far, Tanzania’s top teams are from consistently competing with Africa’s elite.
