Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE country’s envoys in the CAF Confederation Cup, (Azam and Biashara United) have begun their campaigns brightly after registering crucial wins in their opening fixtures.
That was a good development for them as they eye to slide into the next stage of the contest hence they just need to protect their victories in the return fixtures scheduled this week.
Azam recorded an impressive 3-1 win over Horseed FC to keep their dreams of penetrating into the group stage alive but they still have some rivers to cross before reaching the Promised Land.
Playing at an empty Azam Complex arena over the weekend, the hosts were forced to roar from behind after the visitors took the lead in the 22nd minute courtesy of a deflected set piece by Ibrahim Nor.
At one goal down, Azam did not lose focus as they kept pushing to get an equalising goal which came in the 32nd minute via a superb header from Ayoub Lyanga to put the scoresheet balance.
In the second half, Azam dominated the game as they excelled to expose the Somalia based outfits thereby enabling the DR Congo hit man Idris Ilunga Mbombo to open his goal account at Azam in the 73rd minute.
Leading 2-1, the business was not yet over by Azam no wonder they succeed to source another goal in the 78th minute via Lusajo Mwaikenda which completely sunk the guest team who at this point lacked new ideas to come back into the contest.
As such, heading into the return leg to be played in the city, Azam are the ones with a better chance to step into the next round but they will be forced to play with cautious since their opponents will try to turn the tables upside down.
For Biashara United, they too have an advantage to advance into the next phase as they expect to host FC Dikhil from Djibouti at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium late this week.
A vital 1-0 away win stamped on Friday in Djibouti has helped to boost morale for the Mara based giants who have already vowed to stage another good match at home to completely seal off the deal.
Their coach Patrick Odhiambo already forecasted a tense reverse leg but he insisted that they will do whatever necessary to protect the good results they have in order to jump into the next chapter of the competition.
