AZAM FC has officially confirmed the arrival of three key additions to the club’s technical bench, forming part of head coach Jean-Florent Ikwange Ibenge’s backroom staff as the club prepares for a decisive 2025/26 season targeting both domestic and continental glory.

Ibenge, the experienced Congolese tactician with a decorated resume that includes successful spells at DRC’s AS Vita Club and Al-Hilal Omdurman of Sudan, is determined to mount a serious challenge to the dominance of Simba SC and Young Africans SC.

“We’re building a cohesive unit to compete at the highest level,” Ibenge stated during his unveiling at Azam FC’s base at Chamazi in Dar es Salaam.

A club statement announced the appointments of Addis Worku as assistant coach, Rody Mountaro as goalkeeping coach, and Omar Boukathem as a video analyst.

All three previously worked with Ibenge, particularly during his time in Sudan, reinforcing a trusted coaching structure.

Worku, who also served under Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojević with Uganda and Zambia, brings tactical depth to the technical bench.

Mountaro will focus on enhancing goalkeeping performance, while Boukathem will leverage data and video analytics to improve match preparation and performance insights.

Azam FC’s pre-season residential camp is set to begin this week at their state-of-the-art Azam FC Complex at Chamazi.

New arrivals such as midfielder Himid Mao and forward Mukhsin Makame are expected to join the squad as preparations intensify.

However, goalkeeper Aishi Manula and defender Lameck Lawi will miss the early stages of training, as both are currently in camp with Tanzania’s Taifa Stars ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which begins this weekend.

After finishing second in 2023/24 and earning a return to the CAF Champions League, last season’s third-place finish in the Mainland Premier League and early CRDB Federation Cup exit marked a major setback. 

With Ibengé now at the helm and a revamped technical team in place, Azam FC will be hoping for a strong revival.