Azam FC Head Coach, Florent Ibenge, has said his team is still building competitiveness and will be ready by the first match of their upcoming tournament.
Azam FC is scheduled to face Al Merrikh Bentiu of South Sudan in the CAF Confederation Cup, with the first leg set for September 19 and the return leg on September 26, starting with the away match.
Ibenge made these remarks shortly after the team played to a draw against Vipers in an international friendly while preparing in a training camp in Rwanda for the new season.
Speaking about the preparations, Ibenge said the team is improving day by day and being given time to adapt to tactical systems to build a strong and competitive squad both domestically and internationally.
"It’s not bad. We are still strengthening. Based on the matches we are playing, the team is adapting to my systems. Players will gradually gain fitness and be ready for the first match," he said.
"From the matches we played here, we started slowly, and now we are improving. It’s too early to speak about full readiness, but readiness will be seen a day before the competition match," Ibenge told Mwanaspoti.
Regarding the schedule, he said he has reviewed it and respects the teams they will face, but for now, the focus is on building a competitive squad for all upcoming competitions.
"I have seen the schedule and continue to build my team’s readiness. All upcoming matches are equally important. What is needed is readiness and competitiveness, which I believe will be achieved in due time," he added.
The squad, while in Rwanda, has played several matches: a 1-1 draw against Polisi FC, a 1-0 loss to AS Kigali, a 2-0 win over APR FC, and a draw against Vipers.
