Tanzania’s Azam FC secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Rwanda’s APR FC in the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary round tie.
The match, played at the Azam Complex Stadium on Sunday, was settled by a 57th-minute penalty from Colombian striker Jhonier Alfonso Blanco Yus.
Despite dominating possession, the hosts struggled to create clear-cut chances. Their midfield, led by James Akaminko, controlled the tempo but lacked cutting edge in the final third.
APR started brightly, with Mamadou Lamine Bah and Richmond Lamptey pulling the strings in midfield. The visitors’ best opportunity came in the 11th minute when Lamptey forced a corner from Azam goalkeeper Muhamed Mustafa.
The breakthrough came when APR captain Niyomugabo Claude fouled Feisal Salum in the box. Blanco stepped up to convert the spot-kick past goalkeeper Pavelh Ndzila.
In the 11th minute, APR FC had their first good opportunity in the game, when Malian Mamadou Lamine Bah advanced with the ball and passed it nicely to Ghanaian Richmond Lamptey, who shot and forced AZAM FC goalkeeper Muhamed Mustafa to concede a corner, which didn’t yield any result.
AZAM FC passed the ball well up to players like Feisal Salum, but finishing was a problem, which led to the first half ending in a 0-0 draw.
APR FC started the second half by substituting Dushimimana Olivier, who was ineffective on the right side, with Niyibizi Ramadhan.
In the 55th minute, AZAM FC was awarded a penalty due to a foul committed by APR FC captain Niyomugabo Claude on Fiesal Salum in the penalty area, although APR FC players disagreed with the referee’s decision. Colombian Jhonier Blanco converted the penalty well past goalkeeper Pavelh Ndzila, scoring the first goal for AZAM FC.
In the 68th minute, APR FC coach Darko Nović substituted Richmond Lamptey, who was playing behind striker Mamadou Sy, bringing in Godwin Ebido, who went to the right side, and Victor Mbaoma. This immediately led to Mamadou Lamine Bah supporting the Nigerian striker. He also substituted Ruboneka Jean Bosco in the 73rd minute with Thaddeo Lwanga.
AZAM FC continued to play, looking for a second goal, while APR FC had already put two defensive players on the field, struggling to defend until they brought in defender Alioum Souane to replace the injured Mamadou Lamine Bah.
The 90 minutes ended with the score still 1-0, with four minutes added time. At the end, AZAM FC had taken 10 shots on target and secured a 1-0 victory, while APR FC had only one shot on target.
APR coach Darko Nović made several changes in search of an equaliser, but the Tanzanian side held firm to take a slender advantage into the second leg.
The return fixture will determine which side progresses to the next round of Africa’s premier club competition.
