Azam F.C.

Early years (2004–2005)

Azam FC, started as Mzizima FC on 23rd July 2004. The club was founded by the workers of Mzizima wheat flour milling industry owned by Said Salim Bakhresa,(SSB) group of Companies, at Banda la Ngozi, Nyerere Road, Ilala, Dar Es Salaam.

Mzizima FC was a brainchild of Hafidh Salim (who became the first Chairperson), Ali Mlungula, Seif Mshamu Kiwile, Athuman Kikila, Mohamed Saad Makununi, Mzee Chuli Ramadhan, and Babu Ayubu. Then they were joined by Abubakar Mapwisa, Seleman Mabehewa, Twalib Suleiman Chuma, Mohamed Seif 'King', Nassor Idrisa 'Father', Ibrahim Jeshi and Abdallah Hassan. They started this team just for recreation and leisure after the long working hours, so as to improve their social life, health and well-being.

They didn't have a place as their training ground thus they approached the Tanzania Railways Limited (TRC) to allow them use their open space at Ilala Goods Shed. TRC gave them a nod and the work of leveling the ground started immediately.

After the ground was ready, they dubbed it, 'Surulele', after the legendary National Stadium, Lagos Nigeria where the Taifa Stars played in at the 1980 African Cup of Nations.

The ground allowed the players, who were the workers, to showcase their talents. The very first players are Nassor Idrisa, Salum Kakolo, Mjomba Akili, Salva Mayola, Ali Dosho, Gabriel Sebastian Manyoronga, Mohamed Kikuni, Tebela, Zabron Mihangi, Salehe Hillary, Mussa Lumbi, Hatibu Katoto, Amiri Rashid Kikwa, Hamis Jafar, Ibrahim Jaluo, Abbas Kuka, Mbaraka Shaaban Jangama 'Cantona', Abdulkarim Amin 'Popat', Hassan Jeba, Said Nachikongo, Mussa Juma, Faraj Ismail, Mazaila Athuman and James Adriano Kilongola.

Champions of Ilala 2005

After only playing friendly matches, in 2005, Mzizima FC participated in official league after joining division four. This is the first official league in Tanzanian football pyramid, and organized by the respective districts' football associations. Based in Ilala district of Dar Es Salaam, Mzizima FC joined the Ilala District League under Ilala District Football Association, which was played in May, from 1st to 28th, at Benjamin Mkapa Secondary School ground, Ilala, Dar Es Salaam.

Mzizima FC made it to the final and saw off Ndanda FC of Misheni Kota, Kariakoo Dar Es Salaam by 2-1, with the brace from Mussa Lumbi in front of Honourable Mussa Hassan Mussa, the Ilala Member of Parliament.

Mr. Abubabar Bakhresa, the Managing Director of SSB, awarded the team a sum of 330,000/= for winning the championship.

The win meant Mzizima FC was automatically promoted to Dar Es Salaam regional league (division three) for the 2006 season.

Azam Sports Club

Other SSB owned industries had their own football teams too, and in 2005 they agreed to merger with Mzizima SC to form one strong team following the suggestion from Mr. Abubabar Bakhresa, the Managing Director of SSB. The teams were Kipawa [Biscuits & Bakery Industry], TAZARA - Buguruni [Wheat Flour Milling & Mineral Water Industry] and Vingunguti [Omary Packaging & Garage].

They decided to organize the tournament involving all these teams to help select the players to form one new team. The tournament was played at Airwing ground in Ukonga. Mzizima FC and Kipawa FC qualified for the final but the match was interrupted as Kipawa confronted the officiating.

After the disputed tournament, every team maintained its status but later some players defected from other teams to join Mzizima FC to honour the call of Mr. Abubakar Bakhresa. Some of them were Luckson Kakolaki and Id Abubakary of Kipawa. This led to the strenthening of Mzizima SC and weakening of other teams, and lately they swallowed their pride and agreed to merger with Mzizima FC to form one team.

On 28/10/2005, the newly formed team adopted the new name, Azam Sports Club, because Azam is the flagship name for the SSB group of companies.

Azam Football Club 2006

After winning the Ilala District Championship (division four) in 2005, Azam SC was automatically promoted to the Dar Es Salaam regional league (division three). But the regional league proved to be a bit tough for Azam SC players who were workers from within the company.

The need to improve the team forced the recruitment of new players from outside the company. The new players helped the team to win promotion to second division for 2007 season.

But that was the beginning of the new era because the club now started to pay wages to the players only for playing football, thus the professionalization of the club.

In June 6th, 2006, Azam Sports Club turned full professional and marked the evolution by dropping 'Sports Club' from its name, and replaced it with 'Football Club'. From that day on, the official name of the club is Azam Football Club.

The players recruited for 2007 season were Seleman Matola, Shekhan Rashid, Kasimu Kilungo, Juma Assey, Daud Jumanne, James Adrian, Makame Usi 'Vigema', Boniface Pawasa, Heri pazi, and Alimu Chilumbe. Others were Kamba Luffo and Steven Nyenge.

These were the players who had vast experience of local and international football and improved the team.

Promotion to Premier League

In April 2006, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) announced that from 2007 they will change the league system and calendar. The old calendar of January - December was to be replaced by the new one of August - May. So to get the representatives in African competitions for 2007 (as CAF still used February - November calendar), TFF organized what they called the LIGI NDOGO (mini league).

Also all other leagues below premier league to be disbanded and replaced by new competition called National League. This competition was to start from district level to the national level in the same season. National level is where the promotion to the premier league was obtained. Under this new format, the team could be formed the same season and got promoted to the premier league in the same season.

So when the new season started, Azam FC which at the time was in division two, had to drop to district level to participate in this new competition. They started from Ilala District and in one of their matches they played against Cosmopolitan and lost 2-0, at Benjamin Mkapa Secondary School ground. All goals were scored by the 17 year old, John Bocco.

Azam FC who eventually managed to qualify for regional level, signed John Bocco and enrolled him for the rest of the season. They too signed a 16 year old Salum Abubakary 'Sure Boy'.

Azam FC triumphantly made it all the way to National level for promotion play offs. There were two centers for play offs, Dodoma and Musoma, and Azam FC was in Dodoma.

Their group included Mbagala Market, the team which had a 17 year old in Mbwana Samatta, Majimaji FC and Kijiweni FC from Uyole Mbeya. The match against Mbagala Market which ended in a stalemate was very intense and a reminder of the two previous encounters at regional, all ended in a draw.

This is where the rivalry between Azam FC and Mbagala Market started. Mbagala Market, now African Lyon, is the first team to beat Azam FC at Azam Complex Chamazi.

Azam FC was promoted after accumulating 7 points from two wins (3-0 against Kijiweni and 2-0 against Majimaji) and one draw (0-0 against Mbagala Market).

The promotion was officially sealed on July 27, 2008, after a comfortable 2-0 win over Majimaji FC with free kick goals from John Bocco.

Since promotion, Azam FC have managed to finish in top three in all seasons, except 2008/09 [eighth] and 2016/17 [fourth].

• Tanzanian Premier League: 1

Champions: 2013-14

• Kagame Interclub Cup: 2

Champions: 2015, 2018

• Mapinduzi Cup: 5

Champions: 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019

• Abdihamid Moalin [Care Taker]
• Mohamed Badru [Assistant]
• Idd Abubakary [Goal Keeping Coach]
• Nyasha Charandura [Fitness & Conditioning Coach]
• Mwanandi Mwankemwa [Team Doctor]
• Vicent Madege [Physio]
• Yusuph Nzawila [Kit Manager]
• Hamis Salehe Jumapili [Assistant Kit Manager]
• Luckson Kakolaki [Team Manager]

Out On Loan Players

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — GK  TAN David Robert Mapigano 'Kissu'[Namungo FC] — GK  TAN Benedict Haule [TZ Prisons] — DF  TAN Oscar Masai[Geita Gold FC] — DF  TAN Gadafi Said Ramadhan [Pan Africa] — DF  TAN Bakary Abilai Bakary [African Lyon FC] — DF  TAN Emmanuel Charles Lukinda[Namungo FC] — DF  TAN Laurent Alfred[Polisi Tanzania FC] — DF  TAN Omary Hassan Banda[Pamba FC FC] — DF  TAN Amiry Said Njeru[African Lyon FC] — DF  TAN Samwel Amos Ndumieni[Transit Camp FC] — DF  TAN Abdallah Salum Madirisha[Biashara United Mara] — MF  TAN Samwel Jackson Onditi[Ihefu FC] — MF  TAN Abdulrazack Mohamed Hamza[KMC FC] — MF  TAN Awesu Ally Awesu[KMC FC] — MF  TAN Mustapher Rashid Nankuku[African Lyon FC] — DF  TAN Wilbert John Mkimbu[African Lyon FC] — WF  TAN Emmanuel Raymond Kabelege [Pamba FC] — FW  TAN Idd Bahati Kipagwile [KMC FC] — FW  TAN Paul Peter[Mbeya Kwanza FC] — FW  TAN Andrew Simchimba[Ihefu FC] — FW  TAN Valentino Mashaka Kusengama[Transit Camp]

Under 20

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 35 GK  TAN Ally Awilo Ausy 48 GK  TAN Bravo Bakari Mohamed 32 GK  TAN Amiss Yassin Athuman 50 DF  TAN Pascal Gaudence Msindo 55 DF  TAN Ally Kassim Abdullah 40 DF  TAN Twalib Mohamed Noor 43 MF  TAN James Nestory Edward 44 MF  TAN Enzo Genilson Thimotheo 60 MF  TAN Jamal Ally Jaku 58 FW  TAN Abdullah Jumanne Said 65 FW  TAN Ismail Yusuf Rashid 56 FW  TAN Ibrahim Issa Athuman 35 FW  TAN Ashraf Bashiru Malolo 31 FW  TAN Bernard Castory Paul

Under 17

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 68 GK  TAN Ramadhan Salum Mzenga 88 GK  TAN Idd Salim 75 GK  TAN Ally Hassan Abdullah 84 DF  TAN Phares Emmanuel 62 DF  TAN Thabiti Thabiti Majandilu 85 DF  TAN Ashraf Shaaban Kibeku 63 MF  TAN Ramadhan Yassin 61 MF  TAN Arafati Masoud 67 MF  TAN Gaby Joseph Phundumo 66 FW  TAN Abdulkarim Khasim 64 FW  TAN Ally Mohamed 70 FW  TAN David Chiwalango 72 FW  TAN Daud Said 77 FW  TAN Cyprian Kachwelo 82 FW  TAN Daniel Ndalo Kamoga 74 FW  TAN Amos Nada 80 FW  TAN Feisal Hawani 79 FW  TAN Talk Mohamed 78 FW  TAN Anthony Remmy

• Vivier Bahati [Head Coach]
• John Yonatus Matambara [Assistant]
• Mwalo Hashim Ilunga [Goal Keeping Coach]
• Twalib Mbaraka [Team Doctor]
• Ernest Mtungujo [Kit Manager]
• Mbaraka Shaaban Jangama 'Cantona' [Assistant Kit Manager]
• Rashid Said Mgunya [Team Manager]

• Athuman Kikila [2004]
• Mohamed Seif 'King' [2004–2008]
• Neidar Dos Santos [2008–09]
• Itamar Amorin [2009–10]
• Sylvester Marsh (Care-taker) [2010]
• Stewart John Hall [2010–12]
• Vivek Nagul (Care-taker) [2012]
• Boris Bunjak [2012]
• Stewart John Hall [2012–13]
• Joseph Omog [2013–2015]
• George 'Best' Nsimbe (Interim coach) [2015]
• Stewart John Hall [2015–2016]
• Zeben Hernandez [2016]
• Aristică Cioabă [2017–2018]
• Hans van der Pluijm [2018–2019]
• Meja Mstaafu Abdul Mingange (Interim coach) [2019]
• Etienne Ndayiragije [2019]
• Aristică Cioabă [2019–2020]
• George Lwandamina [2020-2021]
• Abdihamid Moallin [2021] Care Taker

• Saad Kawemba Byemba [2014 - 2017]
• Abdul Mohamed [2017 - 2018]
• Abdulkarim MohamedAmin Nurdin 'Popat' [2018 - ]

• Official Site (in Swahili)
• Azam FC Facebook Page
• Azam FC Twitter Page
• Azam FC Blog (in Swahili)