AZAM FC head coach Florent Ibenge has called on his players to maintain their attacking efficiency and defensive discipline as the Mainland Premier League season approaches its climax, following his side’s 2-0 victory over Mashujaa FC on Tuesday evening.

Speaking after the match at Azam Complex in Chamazi, Ibenge praised his team's performance but stressed that there is still significant work to be done if they are to finish the campaign strongly and continue challenging for a place among the league’s elite.

The victory, secured through goals from Sadio Kanoute and James Akaminko, strengthened Azam’s grip on third place in the standings and moved them to 58 points after 27 matches.

Reflecting on the result, Ibenge highlighted the importance of maintaining the team's goalscoring form during the final stretch of the season.

The Congolese tactician said Azam must continue creating and converting chances if they are to keep collecting maximum points from their remaining fixtures.

Azam have established themselves as one of the league's most consistent attacking sides this season, and Ibenge believes sustaining that momentum will be vital in the weeks ahead.

“We must continue scoring goals,” he said, emphasizing that offensive productivity will be one of the key factors in determining how the club finishes the campaign.

The win over Mashujaa demonstrated Azam’s attacking quality, with Kanoute opening the scoring before Akaminko added a second goal to ensure all three points remained in Chamazi.

While pleased with his team's attacking display, Ibenge was equally focused on the defensive side of the game.

The coach stressed that avoiding unnecessary goals will be crucial as the competition enters its decisive phase. He noted that strong defensive organization often makes the difference in tightly contested matches and can be the foundation for consistent results.

Against Mashujaa, Azam successfully kept a clean sheet, limiting the visitors' opportunities and controlling much of the contest.

Ibenge believes maintaining such defensive discipline will be essential as his side prepares for a demanding run of fixtures against some of the league's strongest opponents.

“We have to stay solid defensively and avoid conceding goals,” he said after the match.

The Azam coach also used the opportunity to rally supporters ahead of the club's remaining fixtures. Ibenge appealed directly to the fanbase, encouraging them to turn out in large numbers and create an inspiring atmosphere for the players during the closing weeks of the season.

He believes strong backing from the stands can provide the team with an additional boost as they continue their pursuit of a successful finish.

“The supporters have an important role to play. We need them to come in large numbers and support the team,” he said.

Azam now face a crucial period in their season, with several high profile fixtures on the horizon.

Their immediate attention will turn to the Federation Cup clash against Young Africans SC in Mwanza on June 21 before facing the league leaders again in a potentially decisive Premier League encounter on June 24.

Additional matches against Coastal Union and Dodoma Jiji will conclude Azam’s league campaign.

With momentum on their side and Ibenge demanding continued excellence at both ends of the pitch, Azam will be hoping their latest victory serves as another step towards a strong finish to the 2025-26 season.