By Business Insider Reporter
Azam FC have qualified for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup for the second consecutive season, strengthening Tanzania’s representation in continental club football as Simba SC and Singida Black Stars pursue qualification in their respective competitions.
Azam sealed their place with a 1-0 victory over Egypt’s ZED FC at the Chamazi Complex on Saturday, October 24, advancing 2-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Cairo.
Striker Iddy Nado scored the decisive goal in the second half to send coach Florent Ibenge’s side through to the 16-team group stage of Africa’s second-tier club competition.
Azam’s qualification follows that of Young Africans (Yanga), who secured a place in the CAF Champions League group stage earlier this week after defeating Madagascar’s CFFA 4-1 in the return leg to complete an emphatic 8-1 aggregate victory.
Yanga have now reached the Champions League group stage for the fourth consecutive season, underlining their growing consistency in Africa’s premier club competition.
Simba and Singida target qualification
Simba SC are strongly positioned to join Yanga in the Champions League group stage after recording a commanding 6-1 away victory over Equatorial Guinea’s 15 de Agosto in the first leg of their preliminary-round tie.
The return leg is scheduled for today, October 25, in Dar es Salaam, with Simba carrying a five-goal aggregate advantage. Barring a major turnaround, the Msimbazi Street giants are well placed to progress.
In the Confederation Cup, Singida Black Stars are also within reach of the group stage after defeating Kenya’s Tusker FC 1-0 away in the first leg.
Jeancy Mboma scored the decisive goal in that encounter, giving Singida an important advantage ahead of Sunday’s return match at the Azam Complex. Protecting that lead would secure the club a place among the competition’s 16 group-stage participants.
If Simba and Singida complete their respective assignments, Tanzania could have four clubs in the group stages of the two major CAF competitions, with Yanga and Azam already through.
South African giants suffer major setbacks
Meanwhile, the qualification race has produced significant upsets in South Africa, where two established clubs have suffered early continental exits.
Defending Champions League holders Mamelodi Sundowns were eliminated by Angola’s Wiliete SC after a 1-1 draw in Pretoria left the tie level on aggregate. Wiliete advanced on the away-goals rule following a goalless first leg, delivering one of the competition’s biggest surprises.
In the Confederation Cup, Zambia’s Red Arrows eliminated Kaizer Chiefs 3-2 on penalties after the South African side won the second leg 1-0 to level the aggregate score at 1-1.
The setbacks contrast with Orlando Pirates’ successful Champions League campaign. The South African club defeated Namibia’s African Stars 4-0 in the return leg to advance 5-0 on aggregate. Local soccer analysts said the contrasting outcomes underline the increasingly competitive nature of African club football, where reputation and home advantage alone are no guarantee of progression.
