Foundation and Early Years (2004–2005)
Azam Football Club, originally founded as Mzizima Football Club on July 23, 2004, was established by employees of the Mzizima wheat flour milling industry in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The founding members included Hafidh Salim, who became the first chairperson, along with several others who aimed to create a recreational team for socializing and improving their health after work. Initially, they did not have a designated training ground but secured permission from Tanzania Railways Limited to use an open space at Ilala Goods Shed. This area was prepared for play and named ‘Surulele,’ inspired by the legendary National Stadium in Lagos, Nigeria.
In 2005, Mzizima FC entered the official league system by joining the Ilala District League. They quickly made an impact by winning the championship against Ndanda FC with a score of 2-1, which earned them promotion to the regional league for the following season.
Transition to Azam Sports Club (2005–2006)
In 2005, various football teams owned by the Said Salim Bakhresa Group merged with Mzizima FC to form a stronger entity known as Azam Sports Club. This merger was initiated by Abubakar Bakhresa, the Managing Director of SSB. The newly formed club aimed to consolidate talent and resources from these teams to enhance competitiveness.
The club officially changed its name to Azam Football Club in 2006 and began establishing itself within Tanzanian football.
Rise in Competitiveness (2008–2013)
Azam FC gained promotion to the Tanzanian Premier League in 2008/09 and finished eighth in their debut season. Their performance improved significantly over subsequent seasons; they finished second in the 2011/12 season, which allowed them to qualify for international competition in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The pinnacle of their domestic success came during the 2013/14 season when Azam FC won the Premier League unbeaten—only the second team ever to achieve this feat after Simba SC. During this period, they also set a record by remaining undefeated across 26 league matches that extended over a total of 38 games from late 2012 through early 2015.
Trophy Achievements
As of now, Azam FC has secured ten major trophies: one Premier League title, five Mapinduzi Cups (a regional tournament), two Kagame Cups (the East African club championship), one Tanzania FA Cup, and one Community Shield. Notably, they became the first Tanzanian club to win the Kagame Cup without conceding any goals during their victorious campaign.
Current Status and Rivalries
Today, Azam FC is recognized as one of Tanzania’s most popular football clubs with significant support from fans across the country. They maintain fierce rivalries with other prominent clubs such as Yanga SC and Simba SC.
The history of Azam FC illustrates its evolution from a recreational team into a formidable force in Tanzanian football through strategic mergers and consistent performance improvements over time.
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