Azam FC 2-0 Mbao FC: Chamazi side capitalise on Simba SC slip-up

Azam FC maintained their slim hopes of winning the 2019/20 Tanzania Mainland League title after defeating Mbao FC 2-0 on Sunday at Azam Complex, Chamazi, Dar es Salaam.

After a goalless first half, strikes from Richard Djodi and Shaaban Idd sealed the win for the defending FA Cup champions.

Third-placed Yanga SC had defeated Mwadui by a solitary goal on Saturday, piling pressure on Azam in the process.

The hosts were hungry for maximum points and it took the visitors just 19 minutes to realize so.

Iddi Selemani managed to pick out the unmarked Idd Nado outside the 18-yard area, and the attacker unleashed a good shot which hit the crossbar, with the goalkeeper well-beaten.

As time elapsed, the pressure on the second-placed team was building.

Four minutes after the restart, the ambience in the stadium changed. Richard Djodi managed to get past his markers before finding the back of the net and gave his side a deserved lead.

It seemed the match would end with only one goal scored, but a few seconds prior to the final whistle, Mbao switched off and Idd punished them with the second for goal Azam.

In the previous meeting, the Chamazi-based side claimed a 1-0 win.

The result reduced the gap between them and leaders Wekundu wa Msimbazi to 15 points with nine rounds remaining. 

The 20-time league champions were held to a 1-1 draw at home by visiting Ruvu Shooting.

With 12 minutes on the clock, Rwandan attacker Meddie Kagere was released on the right and crossed the ball into the danger zone.

Taifa Stars striker John Raphael Bocco could not connect with it but the ball, fortunately, fell into the onrushing Kichuya's path. His thunderous strike was saved by Mohamed Makaka in the Ruvu goal, but the rebound was neatly converted by the attacker. 

Goalkeeper Aishi Manula made a gross mistake to hand the visitors an equalizer after defender Erasto Nyoni conceded a corner in the 37th minute.

Abdallahman Musa took it well, the custodian got out of position but missed the ball and Maganga rose highest to score his eighth goal this season.