AZAM FC mounted a spirited second-half comeback to register a 4-2 victory over Kagera Sugar in a thrilling Mainland Premier League match held this weekend at Kaitaba Stadium in Bukoba.

The encounter saw the visitors come from behind to snatch all three points, a result that reinforces their ambitions for a strong league finish. 

Goals from defender Lusajo Mwaikenda, winger Iddi Suleiman ‘Nado’, a Kagera own goal, and Colombian forward Jhonier Blanco sealed the win for Azam, who now sit third on the log with 54 points.

Assistant coach Drissi Badr (pictured), who led the team in the absence of head coach Rachid Taoussi, dedicated the hard-fought win to the Moroccan tactician.

“I want to congratulate the players for their performance, and most importantly, I want to dedicate this victory to our head coach, Rachid Taoussi, who couldn’t be with us today,” Badr told the media after the match. 

“It was crucial for us to win, and we tried to deliver these valuable three points for him and the club.”

Badr acknowledged the difficulty of the contest, praising Kagera Sugar for putting up a strong fight. 

“We knew from the beginning it would be a tough game. Kagera Sugar are battling for survival and were very determined. We started the game well and had chances to go two or three goals up in the first half, but we failed to convert them,” he noted.

The home side took advantage of Azam’s missed opportunities and got on the scoreboard first through midfielder Hija Shamte Lidah in the 26th minute. 

However, Azam responded just before halftime with a 42nd-minute equalizer from defender and captain Mwaikenda, who headed home from a set-piece.

In the second half, Iddi ‘Nado’ gave Azam the lead in the 58th minute with a well-taken goal, only for Kagera Sugar to level the score again through Kassim Ibrahim Feka just three minutes later.

But Azam’s quality eventually shone through in the final stretch of the game. Under pressure and with the match tied 2-2, Badr and his technical team introduced tactical substitutions that shifted the game’s momentum.

“We made some necessary changes to refresh the team, and thankfully, they paid off,” Badr said. “The players showed character and discipline, and we’re happy to have secured the three points.”

Azam went ahead once more in the 83rd minute, this time benefiting from an own goal by Kagera Sugar midfielder Nassor Yahya Kapama. 

Colombian striker Blanco then put the icing on the cake with a composed finish in the 87th minute, making it 4-2 and ensuring there would be no way back for the hosts.

Azam captain Mwaikenda echoed his coach’s sentiments after the match, highlighting the tactical nature of the clash and its challenges.

“It was a very tough match. Games between Kagera Sugar and Azam are always tactical because both teams like to play short passes and build from the back,” Mwaikenda said. 

“It wasn’t easy. We started by trailing but came back into the lead. Thanks to the technical bench and everyone involved, we managed to win.”

The loss dealt another blow to Kagera Sugar’s survival hopes, leaving them in 15th place with 22 points from 27 matches. 

The Bukoba-based side continues to battle relegation and will need a string of positive results in the coming fixtures to maintain their Premier League status.

In contrast, the victory lifted Azam back into third position on the league standings, one point ahead of Singida Black Stars, who have also played 27 matches. 

The Ice Cream Makers now turn their attention to the final stretch of the season as they chase continental football and aim to finish strongly.

Azam’s four-goal haul not only boosted their confidence but also signalled their attacking depth, with different players stepping up at crucial moments. 

With Taoussi expected to return soon, the team will hope to build on this momentum and continue challenging at the top end of the table.