THE reason why so many people love football is the unpredictable nature of the sport. If you had mentioned the words ‘title’ and ‘Azam’ in the same sentence in September, you would have been laughed out of the room.

Following a slow start to the 2024/25 NBC Premier League season, it feels like Azam have finally turned the corner under Rachid Taoussi's watch.

On Saturday, the Ice Cream vendors secured their fifth consecutive victory - dispatching lowly Kagera Sugar 1-0 at Chamazi Complex.

As a result, they now find themselves second in the Premier League table – level with Young Africans on 24 points albeit having played one more game than the defending champions.

There is very little gap between the top four sides at the moment, with leaders Simba and fourth placed Singida Black Stars separated by just four points.

Although Azam are still potentially seven points behind Simba, there is a sense that they are heading in the right direction. Everything is looking positive for Azam at the moment.

Look back to the 1-0 defeat at Simba and it appeared there was very little Azam fans were going to have to cheer about this season.

The loss at Amaan Stadium took place on the September 26 and already Azam were well out of the title race. They managed to win just two of their opening five league outings this term, registering two draws and one loss along the way.

There were problems both on and off the pitch with Youssouf Dabo axed and his replacement looking like he would need more time than anticipated. The season seemed to be as good as over.

Since then, however, Azam have taken 15 points from a possible 15. Not only have Taoussi’s men won all their league games, but they have also kept four clean sheets in the process.

Better still, prior to the November international break, Azam delivered their best win of the campaign as they inflicted Young Africans their first defeat of the season.  

They ran out 1-0 winners and fully deserved their big win.

It could not have gone much better for Taoussi (pictured). Things look more promising and appear to be falling nicely into Azam’s favour.

However, no one can deny Azam have been less than impressive to watch going forward and their 14 goals in 11 games is enough evidence that attack is one area of the team which still looks like it needs improving.

The current challenge being faced by the team is conversion of chances and shots, and eventually, they will get there.

The team is currently creating more chances regularly but the likes of Feisal Salum, Nassoro Saadun and Jhonier Blanco are struggling to bury them.

A new striker is certainly needed during the mini-transfer window. A reliable goal scorer would surely elevate Azam and boost their title race credentials.

The team has gone through a rough patch and are still not even close to their best yet, but right now, they are decent and will continue to get decent results. 

They are no longer the disaster they were in the early days of the campaign and you can now put your money on them.

Now with the kind of football the team is now playing and the feeling that they can only get better and the team, and indeed the club, in general, are on the right track.

With a visit from top four rivals Singida Black Stars up next, a victory in their next game would push the club within one point of leaders Simba. 

With well over half of the season remaining, who knows what Azam could achieve this season?