Himid Mao is optimistic Azam FC will give a good account of themselves when the Tanzania Premier League season kicks off.
Azam finished fourth in the Vodacom Premiership last season, a distant sixteen points adrift of champions Yanga and second placed rivals Simba and have since lost key players to their rivals.
But Mao, the new team captain who takes over from striker John Raphael Bocco feels confident next season will be different.
“True, we have lost a number of players but we have got able replacements,” Mao told Kawowo Sports. “It’s going to be a tough season as all teams have invested well but we are hopeful of giving a good account,” he added.
The Chamazi based club have not only let go of Bocco but also Erasto Nyoni, Said Moradi, Kipre Balou and Kipre Tchetche and also sent Yahya Mudathir on loan at Singida United.
They have however recruited a couple of Ghanaians, Zimbabweans and also signed from within and Mao is already impressed.
I think we still have a good team in place that will compete well next season. The new lads have shown they can be good which is okay.
Tasked to comment on the activity at Simba that have signed Bocco, Nyoni, Haruna Niyonzima and Okwi among others, Mao feels they will be favourites.
“Simba have signed quality and experience and have depth. They look favourites but we shall give them a run as well.”
The Uganda Cranes take on the Taifa Stars next year in the bid for at least one of the spots at Afcon 2019 and Mao, the vice-captain of the national team had a say on the highly anticipated fixture.
It will be a tough game for either side. Two good teams that know each other in and out but again, maybe Uganda are slightly ahead of us.
The one man team, bred from the Azam academy feels the edge lies in Uganda having more players who play abroad.
Maybe that’s where you edge us but we shall give it a fight to qualify for Cameroon 2019.
Meanwhile, Azam drew 2-2 with the local based Uganda Cranes on Tuesday at St. Mary’s stadium, Kitende and face off against league champions KCCA on Thursday at Lugogo.
