Azam FC Head Coach Florent Ibenge has admitted his side had to battle for every inch after edging Namungo FC 1-0 in a tightly contested Mainland NBC Premier League match played on Tuesday night at Azam Complex in Chamazi, Dar es Salaam.
Azam secured the win through a second-half penalty, but the result did not fully reflect the intensity of the contest, with Namungo matching the hosts in both organisation and attacking intent for large spells of the game.
Speaking after the match, Ibenge described Namungo as a disciplined and technically capable side, noting that their approach made it difficult for Azam to impose their usual rhythm.
“We knew before the match that Namungo are a good team, and they proved it on the pitch. They gave us a very tough game,” he said.
The Congolese tactician explained that the first half was evenly balanced, with both teams creating chances and showing attacking ambition.
However, he admitted that Azam lost some control in the second half before capitalising on a crucial moment from the penalty spot.
“It was a competitive first half from both sides. In the second half, we dropped slightly, but the penalty made the difference,” he added.
Ibenge emphasised that beyond the result, the match offered valuable lessons for his squad as they continue their campaign, stressing that grinding out results in difficult matches is part of a winning mentality.
Despite the defeat, Namungo FC Head Coach Juma Mgunda remained composed, accepting the outcome while pointing to key moments that shaped the game.
He praised his players for their discipline and commitment to the game plan but lamented the missed penalty, which he said could have changed the result.
“Football is about results, and we have to accept what we get. The players followed instructions well, but missing the penalty cost us,” said Mgunda.
He added that the team will return to training to sharpen their finishing and correct the mistakes observed, expressing confidence that Namungo will bounce back stronger in upcoming fixtures.
The result sees Azam continue their push in the league standings, while Namungo are left to reflect on missed opportunities in what was otherwise a spirited performance.
