Azam FC coach Florent Ibenge has shed light on why his star midfielder, Feisal Salum, opted to sign a new contract with the club despite interest from South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs, Simba SC, and Young Africans.
The Tanzanian international, often touted for a move away from the Chamazi Billionaires, committed his future by signing an extension that now ties him to Azam until the end of the 2026/27 season.
The announcement of Salum’s new deal preceded the statement signing of Ibenge, a decorated Congolese coach known for his successes with AS Vita, RS Berkane, and Al Hilal. The sequence of events suggested the player’s extension was a foundational part of Azam’s ambitious new era under Ibenge.
The former Congo national team coach has yet to lose a game in the domestic league after three matches. He has also led the club to the CAF Confederation Cup group stages. They were drawn against Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco, Nairobi City, and AS Maniema of DRC.
IBENGE ON WHY FEISAL SALUM STAYED AT AZAM
Ibenge confirmed his high regard for the 27-year-old playmaker, affectionately known as ‘Fei Toto’ and revealed that the player’s commitment was secured before his own arrival.
“I think Feisal is a very, very good player,” Ibenge told FARPost. “I knew him before because I played against him when he was at Yanga. He is an outstanding player.”
Addressing the transfer rumours that linked Salum to a reunion with former Yanga coach Nasreddine Nabi at Amakhosi, Ibenge admitted he “didn’t know that Kaizer Chiefs wanted to sign him.”
However, the coach believes Salum’s decision to remain was a positive one. “But I feel it was a good choice [for him to stay] because he’s an important player,” he added.
The former Shanghai Shenhua mentor dismissed the notion that his high-profile arrival was the key factor in retaining the sought-after midfielder. He stressed the Taifa Stars attacker’s belief in the club’s long-term vision.
“When I arrived, they had already concluded the deal to keep him at the club. He had already accepted to stay and be part of the project. He didn’t stay because of me; he stayed because he still wanted to be part of the project. They had already agreed on the direction this project was taking,” Ibenge clarified.
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