Tanzania: Azam Line Up Yanga Friendly Duel

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Doris Maliyaga

27 July 2011

Cash-rich Azam FC will play a friendly match on Saturday against Young Africans (Yanga) as part of their preparations for the Vodacom Premier League. The ambitious ice-ream makers under the tutelage of British Stewart Hall have had an active transfer window and have played several pre-season matches to gauge their players.

For Yanga, the friendly will serve as a perfect warm-up ahead of their August 17 Charity Shield match against Simba, which marks the start of a new league season. Boasting striking firepower, Azam are undergoing an arduous training at their home ground, Chamazi Stadium.

Ivorian striker Kipre Tchetche, Ghanaians Wahabu Yahaya and Nafiu Awudu are expected to give the Kagame Cup champions some tough time on Saturday.

A victory for Yanga would provide a psychological boost as they look to beat their arch-rivals for the second time in a month. Azam secretary general Idrissa Nassor said yesterday that the match would give them a clue of how tough the Vodacom Premier League would be.

“Hall suggested that we warm up against Yanga and the top officials gave him the nod. He believes that the match would give us a picture of the 2011/12 league season,” Nassor said.

The official added: “Yanga have yet to respond in writing, but talks are underway and hopefully the match will be there.” It remains to be seen whether the match will take place, for Coastal Union of Tanga also requested to play Yanga on the same date. But the Jangwani Street boys outfit might opt for Azam since the ice-cream makers could offer a stiffer opposition.

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