AZAM FC attacking midfielder Feisal Salum, popularly known as ‘Fei Toto’, has expressed optimism about the team's chances of returning to the CAF Champions League next season.

Despite their early exit this year, Salum believes Azam have a competitive squad capable of achieving great things.

Azam were eliminated from the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League by Rwanda's APR FC with a 2-1 aggregate score, winning 1-0 at home but losing 2-0 in the return leg.

Salum (pictured), however, stressed recently that the setback won't derail the team. 

"No player wanted us to be eliminated early. We had big goals, but it happened. We haven't lost hope. We will fight to get back into the competition next season, and it's possible because we have a good squad," he said.

The midfielder emphasized that early exits are part of the journey in football, adding: "Even the teams that have gone far in the competition started like us. There are teams with long histories in African football that have never won titles. The beginning is always tough. I believe that if we return to the competition, we won't repeat the same mistakes."

Salum, who joined Azam from Young Africans last season and scored 19 goals, remains determined to help Azam win the Mainland Premier League and FA Cup titles. 

Reflecting on their Champions League exit, he said: "Losing the opportunity to continue in the Champions League has made us angry and determined to qualify again. We will fight to win the Mainland Premier League title, and it's possible."

Fei Toto praised the club's impact on his development as a player, highlighting the support and competitive environment at Azam FC. 

"I'm on the right team. I've never regretted joining here. The biggest thing that excites me is how I've been improving and becoming competitive with others. This builds me up and makes me believe that I can achieve even greater things while at Azam FC," he said.

Azam FC, founded in 2004, have made significant strides in Tanzanian football. Though they've twice participated in the CAF Champions League, in 2015 and 2024, both campaigns ended in preliminary-stage exits. 

Domestically, Azam clinched the Tanzanian Premier League title in the 2013/14 season and have consistently participated in the CAF Confederation Cup without reaching the group stage.

Now, with new technical staff, Azam FC aim to return to international competitions and challenge the domestic dominance of Young Africans and Simba SC, who have been the top two teams in Tanzania since 2001.