AZAM FC head coach Florent Ibenge has challenged his players to treat the upcoming CAF Confederation Cup clash against Union Maniema as a final, insisting the Tanzanian side’s hopes of reaching the quarter finals will be decided within the next 90 minutes.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Group B encounter at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar, where Azam will play at home, Ibenge (pictured) said his team has narrowed its focus to one decisive match as they chase a place in the last eight with just 180 minutes left in the group stage. 

“Our destiny will be decided in the next 90 minutes against Maniema,” Ibenge said. “I have told my players they must approach this match like a final. We have to win, write a new chapter in the club’s history, and then go to Morocco to fight for points against Wydad.” 

Azam host the Democratic Republic of Congo side knowing that anything less than victory would leave their qualification hopes hanging by a thread. The coach admitted the task will not be easy, but stressed that his team is motivated by the desire to avenge their earlier defeat. 

“This is a revenge match,” he added. “Maniema were strong at home and dominated us on their ground. Now it is our turn. We are playing at home and there is nothing that should stop us from winning.” 

Azam suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Maniema earlier in the group stage, a result that left them under early pressure in what has proven to be a tightly contested pool. That setback was followed by another narrow loss, a 1-0 defeat at home to Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca, further complicating the Tanzanian club’s path to the knockout rounds. 

However, Ibenge believes his side has since shown character and growth, particularly in their double header against Kenya’s Nairobi United. Azam claimed maximum points from those two fixtures, winning 2-1 away before securing a 1-0 victory at home to complete a commanding double and revive their campaign. 

“All the remaining opponents in this group beat us in the first round, except Nairobi United,” Ibenge noted. “But this last home match is a do-or-die situation for us. We must get the three points.” 

Azam currently sit third in Group B with six points from four matches. Wydad and Maniema share the top spot with nine points each, while Nairobi United remain bottom without a point. With only two rounds of matches left, the margin for error is minimal. 

The Zanzibar based fixture has taken on added significance, not only because it is Azam’s final home game of the group stage, but also because victory would set up a dramatic final showdown away to Wydad in Morocco on February 15. That match will conclude Azam’s group campaign. 

For Azam to qualify for the quarter finals without relying on other results, the equation is simple but demanding: they must beat Maniema at home and then overcome Wydad away to finish the group with 12 points. Any slip would leave their fate dependent on the outcome of other matches. 

Ibenge, who brings vast continental experience from his time with clubs and national teams in Africa, said belief and mentality will be key in such a high pressure situation. 

“We have shown that we can respond when we are under pressure,” he said. “After the defeats to Maniema and Wydad, many people doubted us. But the way the team reacted against Nairobi United shows the character in this squad. Now we must prove it again.” 

The coach also praised the role of Zanzibar as a home venue, expressing hope that the team will draw energy from familiar surroundings and strong support. 

“Playing at the New Amaan Complex gives us extra motivation,” he said. “We know the importance of this match to the club, the players, and the fans. We want to make them proud.” 

As kickoff approaches, Azam find themselves at a crossroads in their continental journey. A win on Saturday would keep their quarter final dream alive and set the stage for a high stakes finale in Morocco. A failure to collect all three points, however, could see their CAF Confederation Cup campaign slip away.

 For Ibenge and his players, the message is clear the road to the quarter finals begins now, and it must be walked with total focus, intensity, and belief.