Work starts to make Azam Complex Stadium an all-seater stadium  

The Azam Complex Stadium capacity is set to increase to 10,000 after seats are installed in all five stands of the facility.

In line with international standards for the stadium, the complex will have all five stands fitted with seats.

Azam FC Information Officer Thabit Zakaria said that the renovations are part of the requirements by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) so that the facility can host elite international matches that involve Azam FC and national teams.

The official noted: We are giving the facility a facelift so that the stadium is compatible with CAF standards. Stadiums that are required to be used in CAF Elite A competitions that are in Elite such as the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup Group stage, must have seats in all stands.â

The current wooden benches in the four stands will be removed because they don’t have backrests, the reason for their replacement.

The seats will vary in colour to add to the overall design of the stadium. The chosen colours are blue, white, and orange.

The seat consignment arrived in the country last year and was transported to Chamazi ready for the work in progress to give the stadium a much-needed face-lift.

Azam Complex Stadium which was officially opened in 2010 is certified by the continental football governing body, Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host category B matches and youth competitions.

This year it hosted Azam FC 2022/23 CAF Confederation Cup Second Preliminary Round game against Liby Al Akhdar.

In 2019, Azam Complex Stadium was one of the venues that hosted the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations finals.

Six Group stage games that involved Morocco, Senegal, Guinea, and Cameroon were played at Azam Complex Stadium.

Before hosting the 2019 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations finals, part of the recommendations from CAF to Tanzania regarding Azam Complex Stadium was the installation of seats to make it an all-seater arena, the lighting was to be upgraded, renovation of the changing rooms, and media centers.

Major work was done before and after the tournament making it one of the best sports facilities in the region.

The facility moreover hosted the first leg of the qualifiers for the 2019 African Cup of Nations between Taifa Stars and eSwatini and matches involving the senior national women's team, Twiga Stars.

Currently, with the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium being under renovation ahead of hosting the inaugural African Super League tournament later this year, Simba SC and Yanga have resorted to using Azam Complex Stadium for their domestic games.