Ibenge: Every game must make Azam better

DAR ES SALAAM: AZAM FC Head Coach Florent Ibenge has challenged his players to keep improving from one match to the next after securing a 2-0 away victory over Kagera Sugar in the Mainland Premier League.

Ibenge said the three points at Kaitaba Stadium on Monday were important, but insisted the result should form part of a bigger process as Azam continue to build their campaign.

“We want to do better in every game because every game is important for us,” Ibenge said.

The Congolese was particularly pleased with Azam’s first-half display, when they created several opportunities and converted two of them to establish a comfortable lead. He said the team had also prepared well for Kagera Sugar’s approach, which relied heavily on long balls.

“We played good football. We know how Kagera Sugar play, they use long balls and we were prepared for that,” Ibenge said.

However, Ibenge acknowledged that Azam were less threatening in the second half, with the focus shifting from creating chances to protecting their advantage and controlling the match.

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“In the first half we played very well and scored two goals. In the second half we didn’t have many scoring chances, but we made sure we controlled the game,” he said.

The victory also strengthened Azam’s progress away from home, with Ibenge revealing that the team have now played three away matches, recording two draws and one victory. He described the results as part of an ongoing team-building process, suggesting there is still room for Azam to improve as the season develops.

Meanwhile, Kagera Sugar coach Juma Kaseja admitted his side had been beaten by a strong Azam team but said the defeat had exposed areas that needed attention. Kaseja noted that Azam, who finished fourth last season, punished Kagera Sugar after creating two opportunities in the first half.

“In the first half they created two chances and scored. We lost against a great team, but we still have a chance to correct our shortcomings and I believe we will be better,” Kaseja said.

For Ibenge, though, the message is clear: The win at Kaitaba is not the destination. It is another step in a season-long process in which every match is expected to make Azam a better and more complete team.