The Zambian gaffer now says he will have to beef up the squad for the team to have a competitive edge in the second round
Azam FC tactician George Lwandamina has openly claimed he will have to sign a few players in the mini-transfer window if the team is to remain among the title contenders.
The Chamazi-based giants started the season on a flying start managing to win seven straight matches from the opening fixture and were leading the log for most of the early stages before they lost to Mwadui FC.
After the defeat, they moved to fire Romanian coach Aristica Cioaba and went for the services of the much-travelled Lwandamina, who has so far overseen two matches, both ending in 2-2 draws against Namungo FC and Ruvu Shooting.
The Zambian coach has now said in order for the team to challenge for the title, he will have to beef up a few areas in the squad in the on-going transfer window.
“There is nothing I will promise at the moment about the signing of new players but I will sit down with the directors of the club to find out what I will do during this transfer period,” Lwandamina said as quoted by Sokalabongo.
“Every day there is a lot of competition which also contributes to the league being tough and good, and the Tanzanian league is now getting bigger as people are being reached with information wherever they are unlike in the past.
“So we must be actively involved to make sure we beef up the areas I feel need improvement; it will all depend with the club bosses but we need to improve a few areas if we are to remain in title contention.”
Against Ruvu Shooting at the Chamazi complex, the ‘Ice-cream Makers’ took a deserved lead in the 34th minute when striker Ayoub Lwanga headed home from a corner kick but Emmanuel Martin levelled matters for Ruvu in the 53rd minute.
Azam regained the lead in the 60th minute when Mudathir Yahya powered home from close range but the goal was not enough to end their bad run as Fully Zullu Maganga ensured Ruvu got a point from the tie in the 70th minute.
The draw left them in third spot on 28 points while Yanga SC, who beat Dodoma Jiji 3-1 on Sunday, are top with 37 points from 16 matches and champions Simba SC, who edged out KMC 1-0 on Thursday, are second with 32 points from 14 matches.