Tanzanian side Azam set to face Bandari in unusual friendly

© Bandari FC

FOOTBALL Tanzanian side Azam set to face Bandari in unusual friendly

Festus Chuma 20:00 - 03.08.2023

The 2013/14 Tanzanian league champions have taken an unprecedented step in their pre-season match against Bandari.

Tanzania Premier League giants Azam FC have left fans dismayed with their recent announcement that spectators will be barred from their upcoming friendly match against Kenyan side, Bandari FC, on Saturday 5 August.

The fixture is set to take place at the prestigious Azam Sports Complex in Chamazi, located on the outskirts of the bustling city of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

Bandari is currently in the midst of their pre-season training in Tanzania and have been striving to make the most of their stay. 

The Mombasa-based outfit is coming off a hard-fought victory against Coastal Union, securing a 1-0 win in their previous friendly match. 

The Twahir Muhiddin-coached side's encounter with Azam is eagerly anticipated by fans on both sides of the border.

However, the decision by Azam to ban spectators from the match has sent shockwaves throughout the football community. 

https://twitter.com/azamfc/status/1687056818852249600?s=20

"You can follow all the information of the game on our social media pages, as it will not be broadcasted live nor will fans be allowed to enter the stadium,” the club said in a statement.

While the reasons behind this unusual move remain undisclosed, speculations are rife regarding the potential impact on player morale and the overall atmosphere of the game.

For Azam, this friendly serves as an integral part of their preparations for the upcoming CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round clash against Ethiopian outfit Bahir Dar City. 

The match will provide an opportunity for the Tanzanian side to fine-tune their strategies and assess the performance of their squad ahead of the crucial continental competition.

On the other hand, Bandari mentor Muhiddin has been meticulously using these pre-season friendlies to prepare his squad for the forthcoming 2023/2024 FKFPL season. 

Muhiddin, a seasoned strategist, has already introduced new signings to the squad, including former AS Assad striker Nyamwai Beja and Mwatate United's Alvin Ngoto. 

While fans were eager to witness the new signings in action, they did not feature in the friendly against Coastal Union. 

However, there are high hopes that they will showcase their talents in the upcoming match against the Ice Cream Makers.