AZAM FC have announced that their senior team will be managed by academy coaches during the international break as the club continues its search for a new head coach following the departure of Youssouph Dabo.
The decision to terminate Dabo's contract came after Azam FC's elimination from the CAF Champions League group stage qualifiers, where they were defeated 2-0 by APR FC in the second leg. Despite a 1-0 victory in the first leg, Azam were unable to advance on aggregate.
This marked the second consecutive season that Azam had failed to progress in continental competitions under Dabo's leadership; last season, they were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup by Bahir Dar Kenema on penalties.
Following an emergency board meeting, Azam decided to terminate the entire coaching staff, including head coach Dabo and his five assistants. The Senegalese coach's tenure at Azam FC lasted just one year.
Dabo's time at Azam was marked by notable success in domestic competitions. Under his guidance, the team displayed dominance in the Premier League with a record of 21 wins, seven draws, and only three losses in 31 matches.
Additionally, they reached the final of the Federation Cup, narrowly losing to Young Africans.
In continental competitions, Dabo’s impact was mixed. While Azam faced challenges in both the CAF Confederation Cup and the CAF Champions League, they managed to secure significant victories against APR in both tournaments, demonstrating their competitive spirit at a high level.
Azam also saw success in local cup competitions under Dabo’s leadership. The team finished second in the Mapinduzi Cup and reached the final of the Muungano Cup, where they were defeated by Simba in a closely contested match.
Dabo’s contributions to Azam are evident from these achievements, and his departure will undoubtedly be felt by the club.
As Azam look to the future, they aim to appoint a new coach who can build upon Dabo's legacy and continue the club's success.
Currently, Azam are reportedly interested in hiring Florent Ibenge, the head coach of Al Hilal Omdurman, after parting ways with Dabo. Initially, Azam showed interest in acquiring Nasreddine Nabi, who has since signed with Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa.
Despite their eagerness to buy out Nabi’s contract, their plans have been put on hold due to his recent appointment.
Nabi has an impressive track record, having managed teams such as Al-Ahly Benghazi, Al-Hilal, Ismaily, Al-Merrikh, Young Africans, and FAR Rabat. His experience and success have made him a coveted candidate for many clubs, including Azam.
With Nabi now committed to Kaizer Chiefs, Azam FC's management is exploring the possibility of signing Ibenge, who has previously been linked to other Tanzanian clubs like Simba and Young Africans.
As the search for a new head coach continues, Azam FC are focused on finding a leader who can guide them to greater heights in both domestic and continental competitions.
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