Azam FC out to heap more misery on struggling Ruvu Shooting

22Apr 2023
Michael Mwebe
Sport
The Guardian
Azam FC out to heap more misery on struggling Ruvu Shooting

​​​​​​​AZAM FC will be bidding to reclaim the third spot in the 2022/23 NBC Premier League when they make the short trip to Morogoro to face basement side Ruvu Shooting at the Jamhuri Stadium this afternoon.

Ruvu Shooting's fullback, Nathaniel Chilambo (L), challenges Azam FC's left-back, Pascal Msindo, when the clubs faced each other in a recent NBC Premier League duel which took place at Mabatini ground in Coast Region. PHOTO: COURTESY OF AZAM FC

The Ice cream makers have dropped points in their last five league matches, which has allowed third-placed Singida Big Stars to leapfrog them by one point.

This means that there is no room for error in this game for Kally Ongala-coached Azam FC, which has won 15, drawn five, and lost six of their 26 league matches during an up-and-down campaign.

Given the gulf in class, Ongala’s men should not struggle to collect maximum points against Ruvu Shooting.

That said, Azam FC’s recent away record is a cause for concern, as they have only managed to win three of their previous ten games on the road in the league.

The 1-0 defeat away to Ihefu SC in early March means that Azam FC has now failed to win in their previous six league outings on the road.

Nigerian midfielder Issah Ndalah put on a clinic showing for Azam FC last time out against Mtibwa Sugar with a first-half goal before Iddy Selemani ‘Nado’ won it for the former in the second half to render Mtibwa Sugar forward Onesmo Mayaya's effort useless.

Prince Dube, who has six goals is the dangerman for Azam FC up front alongside the rejuvenated 'Nado' who has found the back of the net five times since coming back from a long injury layoff.

At the opposite end of the standings, Ruvu Shooting finds itself sitting second from the bottom in the table – seven points from safety.

The hosts know that a victory would be a massive one for their chances of NBC Premier League survival.

They have only managed to win five of their 26 league games this season, recording five draws and 16 losses along the way.

The army outfit also holds the fourth-worst defensive record in this season's NBC Premier League, having conceded 33 goals.

Worse still, Mbwana Makata-coached Ruvu Shooting is the worst home team this season having collected just 11 points. No team has lost more games at home this season than Ruvu Shooting (eight).

In head-to-head stats, Azam FC and Ruvu Shooting have met in 23 league matches since 2010/11.

Azam FC has claimed 13 wins compared to two for Ruvu Shooting, while eight matches have been drawn.

Ruvu Shooting has avoided defeat in seven of the club's 11 home league matches in the rivalry, suffering four defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Azam Complex Stadium on November 2022, Azam FC claimed a 1-0 home win thanks to a second-half penalty converted by Congolese Idris Mbombo.

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