DESPITE leading the Premier League table, Azam FC's head of media and information, Thabit Zakaria, has acknowledged a slight decline in their performance compared to the previous season.

After 13 matches this campaign, Azam have accumulated 30 points - two fewer than the 32 points they had at the same stage last year.

Zakaria (pictured) emphasized the team’s determination to bridge this gap and regain momentum as they prepare for their upcoming matches. 

Azam have been in stellar form recently, securing seven consecutive wins following early-season setbacks, including a loss to Simba SC and a draw against Mashujaa.

Azam currently sit atop the Premier League table with 30 points, but rivals Simba SC and Young Africans SC are close behind with 28 and 27 points, respectively. 

Both rivals, however, have two games in hand, which adds pressure on Azam to maintain their winning streak and extend their lead.

Coach Rachid Touassi has played a pivotal role in Azam’s resurgence. Under his leadership, the team has rallied from early disappointments, and their recent 3-1 comeback victory over Dodoma Jiji further solidified their confidence.

The return of influential midfielder Feisal Salum has bolstered Azam’s attack. Salum has been in exceptional form, contributing four goals and five assists this season, making him one of the league's top performers alongside Simba’s Jean Charles Ahoua, who has five goals and four assists.

Zakaria expressed the club's ambitions, saying: “We are currently two points behind our performance at this stage last season, where we had 32 points after 13 matches. Despite being at the top with 30 points, we need to maximize our upcoming games to match last season's success.”

Azam’s focus isn’t solely on the Premier League. The team is also setting its sights on making a significant impact in the Federation Cup, where they face regional side Iringa Sports FC in the 64th round on Saturday.

Reflecting on last season’s Federation Cup campaign, Zakaria said: “We bowed out of the Federation Cup last season after a penalty loss to Young Africans. This year, we aim to make a deeper run and possibly secure the title.”

Azam’s previous season saw them finish second in the Premier League, earning a spot in the CAF Champions League preliminary rounds. 

However, their continental journey was cut short by APR in the first round with a 2-1 aggregate loss.

This season, Azam are keen to not only replicate their league success but also mount a stronger challenge for the title. 

Zakaria concluded: “Our goal is to accumulate as many points as possible and assess our achievements at the end of the campaign.”

After Saturday’s Federation Cup match against Iringa Sports FC, Azam will face a challenging Premier League clash away to Tabora United on December 13 at the Ali Hassan Mwinyi Stadium in Tabora. 

The team hopes to extend their winning streak and continue their march toward a successful season.