The Ice Cream Makers from Tanzania will arrive for the group stage fixture against Naibois having lost all their opening two matches. Azam kicked off their Group B campaign with a 2-0 defeat against AS Maniema Union of DR Congo before losing their matchday two 1-0 against Wydad AC of Morocco.
Just like Azam, Nairobi United, who earned promotion to the Kenyan top-flight this season, and are participating in this competition for the first time, are winless from their opening two fixtures.
United lost their opener 3-0 against Wydad away before returning to suffer a 1-0 defeat against Maniema. Despite their worst start to the campaign, Ibenge, who has experience in this stage of CAF competitions, has maintained he is not under any pressure heading into the United fixture.
‘For me football is a pleasure’
Asked whether he was under pressure to get the first three points away from home, the 64-year-old responded to Tata Sports: “No, I don’t like this word, pressure, for me football is a pleasure, and on Sunday we are going to go onto the pitch to enjoy our game.
“We are going to do everything to win this game, but no pressure, we just want to play, play, play, and enjoy because we don’t forget that our job is very good one, and we know that a lot of people fight a lot for the life, so we have to respect them and play 100 percent.”
Ibenge continued: “We are good, thank you for being here in Nairobi, a nice City. So, I am really happy to be here. The squad is good, we don’t have any injuries, we are in a good hotel, we are training on a very good pitch, and we are happy.”
On what fans should expect from Azam against Nairobi United, the veteran DR Congo coach said: “We expect to play good football, to show that we are here in this group stage, we are playing and ready to face anybody.
“We go into the fixture with zero points just like our opponents Nairobi United, and as we are here, we are going to try to have our first point in this competition.”
Discussing what he knows about Nairobi United, Ibenge said: “They are here competing in the group stages, and that means they are one of the best teams here in Kenya, so we have to respect them, and to play the best game.
“They (Nairobi) also want to take the three points; they have lost the first two games just like us. I think the game will be open, and it will be a good game.”
On what project he is working with Azam beyond the CAF competition, Ibenge explained: “Azam is an ambitious club, and for a long time they played but didn’t reach this level, so we are going to do our best at this level, and also to prepare for the future.
“We want to be one of the best team in Africa, and we are going to build it slowly, we are not in a hurry, we have some years for that, we are going to build our team slowly, it is the first time we reached the group stage, and in the future we want to go far and reach semifinals, final and also why not to win.
“Why are the same teams going to win it? We have to be also one of the teams, who can compete to win this competition, but we have our time, we go slowly and we stay humble, we respect everybody, but we want to reach the top in the near future.”
Azam to respect Nairobi United
Speaking on behalf of the players, midfielder Feisal ‘Toto’ Salum remained cautious and warned his teammates not to underrate Nairobi United because they are participating in the competition for the first time in their history.
“Nairobi United are new in this competition but that does not mean we underrate them, we must give them respect, and we know they have quality players with experience in this stage, and who can hurt you at any given situation.
“We know it will not be an easy game, it will be difficult, remember none of us has won a point so far, and everybody will be going for a point in this game, but for us we want maximum points, this will help us to revive our target to reach the knockout stages.”
Unlike coach Ibenge, Salum admitted there will be pressure in the game. “Yes, we will face pressure because we know each other in this game, we are neighbours, and this makes it even more tough, but we are ready for the challenge.”
After playing United, Azam will return home to host Maniema Union on February 8, the same day United will be at home against Wydad AC.
