AZAM FC head coach Florent Ibenge has applauded his players for their mental strength, tactical discipline and determination following their dramatic 3-2 extra time victory over Young Africans SC in the semi-final of the Federation Cup.

The victory at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza secured Azam's place in the final, where they will face Simba SC in what promises to be another highly anticipated clash between two of Tanzania's football giants.

Speaking after the match, Ibenge said his team remained calm and focused throughout a tense contest, even when faced with difficult moments that threatened to derail their plans.

"We kept our minds clear throughout the game," said Ibenge. "The players understood what we wanted to achieve and stayed committed to the plan from the first minute until the end."

While acknowledging the quality and pressure applied by Young Africans, Ibenge revealed that his instructions were not limited to defending against the opposition's attacks.

Instead, he encouraged his players to remain alert for opportunities to launch dangerous counter attacks whenever space became available.

According to the Congolese coach, that approach proved decisive as Azam managed to expose gaps in Young Africans’ defence and convert their chances at key moments of the match.

"We didn't only think about defending. We wanted to identify the right moments to attack and take advantage of transitions," he explained.

Ibenge expressed satisfaction that his players executed the strategy effectively, eventually scoring three goals against one of the strongest defensive sides in Tanzanian football.

The coach described the team's attacking efficiency as one of the major reasons behind the memorable victory. The match took a difficult turn for Azam when central defender Mohamed Yoro Diaby was sent off early in the second half after denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

With more than 20 minutes remaining in normal time, plus extra time, Azam faced a significant challenge against a Young Africans side eager to take advantage of the numerical superiority.

Ibenge admitted the red card complicated matters but praised his players for responding positively.

"The game became very difficult after the red card," he said. "We had to reorganise quickly and ensure we remained compact."

The coach highlighted his team's defensive discipline, saying the players worked tirelessly to limit Young Africans’ space and prevent them from fully controlling the contest despite having an extra man on the field.

Their organisation and commitment ultimately helped them survive intense pressure before finding the decisive winning goal in extra time.

Ibenge also reflected on Azam's previous meetings against Young Africans this year, noting that his side had struggled to secure a victory despite competing well.

He pointed out that Azam had previously drawn and suffered a narrow defeat against the reigning champions, but believed Sunday's result showed the team had learned important lessons.

According to the coach, improvements in physical preparation, tactical execution and mentality enabled Azam to finally overcome one of their biggest rivals. "This victory shows that we corrected the mistakes we made before against the champions," he said.

The win sends Azam into the Federation Cup final against Simba SC, with the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) expected to confirm the exact date and venue. The final is anticipated to take place during the first week of July.

However, Ibenge acknowledged that celebrations must be brief as his side quickly shifts focus back to league action.

Azam are scheduled to travel to Zanzibar, where they will face Young Africans once again in a crucial Premier League encounter at the New Amaan Complex on June 24. 

The coach said the team must recover quickly and maintain the same fighting spirit as they continue their pursuit of success on multiple fronts this season.