COASTAL Union head coach David Ouma has expressed disappointment following his team's 5-2 loss to Azam FC in the semi-finals of the Community Shield tournament at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.

Despite the setback, Ouma remains committed to rebuilding and strengthening his squad ahead of the upcoming season.

Having secured fourth place in the recently concluded Mainland Premier League, Coastal Union earned a spot in the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup and participated in the Community Shield tournament. However, their encounter with Azam FC ended in a heavy defeat.

Ouma acknowledged the loss as a painful setback but also highlighted it as a valuable lesson for his team. 

He pointed to a lack of composure after equalizing as a key factor that led to their downfall, resulting in further goals and ultimately a crushing defeat.

"It was a painful result for us, but also a lesson. After equalizing, we lost composure and allowed attacks that put us in a difficult situation, leading to more goals," Ouma said.

Despite the result, Ouma is determined to strengthen his squad and ensure they compete effectively in the upcoming season. 

He emphasized the need for cohesion among the many new players in the squad and promised to address their shortcomings before the start of the new season.

"We made errors that cost us dearly. Conceding five goals is unacceptable. With tough matches against Simba and the CAF Confederation Cup qualifiers ahead, we need to be at our best. We'll work tirelessly to correct our mistakes before the new season begins," he added.

Ouma also stressed that the Community Shield tournament is serving as a crucial stepping stone for the team to showcase their growth and determination.

Following the defeat, Coastal Union will face Simba in the third-place playoff match tomorrow at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. 

Simba also suffered a defeat in their semi-final match, losing 1-0 to Young Africans, and will now focus on securing third place in the tournament as they prepare for the upcoming Premier League season.

Both Simba and Coastal Union qualified to represent Tanzania in continental competitions and will participate in the CAF Confederation Cup. 

Coastal Union's campaign will begin with an away match at Estadio De 11 Novembro in Luanda on August 16, followed by a home match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on August 23.

This marks Coastal Union's return to international competition since their participation in the 1989 African Cup Winners' Cup, where they were eliminated in the first round. 

The competition was later merged with the CAF Cup to form the current CAF Confederation Cup in 2004.