AZAM FC assistant coach Bruno Ferry has revealed the squad's fringe players are set to have the opportunity in the revived Muungano Cup now played at New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.

The showdown has returned after a 20-year hiatus- with so far four teams battling it out in it- although four more teams are expected to grace the mini-tournament next season.

It takes place to celebrate the 60-year union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar that took place in 1964.

The ice cream makers crashed out of the 2024 Mapinduzi Cup quarterfinals, having lost to Singida Fountain Gate FC and, since then, they have yet to lose a match.

Ferry also asserted that the mini-tournament will serve as preparations for the NBC Premier League remaining games.

"We are very happy to be back in Zanzibar, playing against here, we are cautious ahead of tomorrow (Today's) game we understand all teams are competitive but we are prepared to have a competition on the return of the mini tournament," the French coach noted.

He revealed: "Fringe players, who haven't had so much playing time, will have the opportunity to play in this competition, they will have enough playing time to show their prowess and make their way into the remaining NBC Premier League matches."

"We are here to win this competition, we also respect our opponents in tomorrow's match, they are a very good team here in the Isles.”

“We expect a good match tomorrow but I will rely more on the rotational players," Ferry noted.

Azam FC, currently sitting second in the NBC Premier League with 54 points, will be in the contest for the 50m/- prize money set aside for the Zanzibar showdown’s champion, while runners-up will receive 30m/- as reported by the Muungano Cup organizers.

The Chairman of the Finance and Planning Committee of the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF) Awadh Mwita said that the tournament's champion will next year walk away with 100m/-.

"This year, we started with four teams but, next year, we plan to have eight teams, four based in Zanzibar and four from the Mainland. That's why we have set (aside) that amount of money for the winners," Mwita remarked, adding that the champion will next year rake in 100m/-.

With Simba SC, KVZ FC, Azam FC, and KMKM FC participating in this year's tournament, Yanga is expected to take part in next year’s competition- with three more teams set to complete the list of participants.