Azam FC Claim Historic CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage Berth Under Florent Ibenge
In a landmark achievement for the club, Azam FC secured their place in the group stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup for the very first time. The historic qualification was confirmed with a commanding 7-0 victory over KMKM on the second leg of the second preliminary round at Chamazi, following a 2-0 win in the first leg. DR Congo coach Florent Ibenge guided the Ice Creamers to a 9-0 aggregate triumph.
The impressive attacking display saw Tanzanian internationals Amis Suleiman and Iddi Nado both score twice, while Congolese forward Japhet Kitambala and Pascal Msindo added further goals. This marks a significant breakthrough for Azam FC, representing their debut participation in the second-tier continental competition's group stages.
While Azam FC etched their name into history, the path for other Tanzanian sides also showed progress. Singida Big Stars maintained their advantage in their preliminary round encounter, while Young Africans, despite losing the first leg to Malawi's Silver Strikers, still hold a home advantage for the decisive second leg.
Elsewhere in the CAF Confederation Cup qualifying process, the passage to the group stages is already secured for other African giants. Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, Algerian side CR Belouizdad, and Egyptian club Zamalek have been confirmed in the group stages.
While the focus was on Azam FC's historic qualification, other East African teams are also making strides. Young Africans face a crucial second leg against Silver Strikers in Malawi, needing to overturn their initial defeat. Meanwhile, Singida Big Stars continue their campaign against opponents yet to be named. The potential for more Tanzanian representation in the group stages remains high.
The CAF Confederation Cup serves as a vital platform for clubs across Africa. For Azam FC, qualification represents not just sporting success but also significant financial and developmental opportunities provided by the tournament. Coach Ibenge will now focus on preparing the team for the challenging group stages, where they will face some of Africa's most respected club sides. The journey for Azam FC in this prestigious competition is set to begin.
The continental competition is structured with multiple rounds leading to the group stages. Alongside the confirmed qualifiers like Wydad Casablanca, Belouizdad, and Zamalek, numerous other clubs are still vying for spots in the lucrative next phase across African nations. The continental club competition landscape continues to evolve, with historic first qualifications adding drama to the narrative.
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