Moroccans keep Nairobi Utd waiting for first point in Caf Confederation Cup

Nairobi United’s technical director, Salim Ali, has termed their last match in Group ‘B’ of 2026 Caf Confederation Cup away to Congolese team AS Maniema a do-or-die battle.

On Sunday, Nairobi United conceded a goal in the 89th minute of their second leg Group ‘B’ match to lose 1-0 to Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

The lone goal was netted by second-half substitute and forward Ben Yedder Wissam in the 89th minute.

The result leaves the Kenyan club with no point in Group ‘B’ of the match. Nairobi United went into yesterday’s match with no chance of making it to the quarter-final stage of the tournament, having lost all their past group matches.

Wydad won the first leg of the fixture 3-0 in Casablanca on November 23. They play AS Maniema on Sunday.

Yesterday, Ali, who also doubles up as Nairobi United’s coach in continental matches, was gutted by the loss, which came when he was almost certain that the team would pick its first point in the competition.

“We really played well and matched our opponents. You couldn’t even believe we were facing a giant and a more established team in African football. We matched them in every department, and conceding a late goal came as a big disadvantage to us since we put in a lot of effort in the match,” Ali, who has coached Sofapaka FC, Ulinzi Stars, and Mathare United in the Kenyan Premier League, said.

“We are going to AS Maniema for a must-win match if we are to earn our first three points in the group stage of a Caf competition. We are going to play all our hearts out, but will be very keen on our defending so that we don’t lose track as we did today,” said Ali.

Ali opted for a twin attack of siblings Duncan Oluoch Omala and Benson Omala, and the combination worked well with constant ball supply from the duo of Mustafa Kizza and Lesley Owino in midfield. While Duncan’s pace troubled Morocco’s Ayoub Boucheta from left wing, Benson also outwitted his marker, Amine Boulfath and tested Wydad’s custodian Benabid El Mehdi.

Nairobi United defenders locked star player Hakim Ziyech out of the game, forcing coach Mohamed Amine to take him off the pitch in the 70th minute. Nairobi United had goalkeeper Kevin Oduor to thank for denying Wydad’s Noureddine Amrabat and Moises Paniagua in both halves.

“Of course, there were moments they caught us in the game, but our defenders and goalkeeper did exceptionally well. It was a very good game for us despite the loss, though we also at some point failed to take our chances,” added Ali.

A Case in point Ali was referring to was in the 20th minute when Lesley unleashed a long-range shot which was punched back to the field of play by El Mehdi, but Duncan latched on to the rebound only to be ruled out for offside.

Shami Kibwana had earlier wasted a clear opportunity after being put through in goal, only for him to pass the ball to a Wydad player inside the box.

Amine lauded Nairobi United for containing them and accepted that they had to sweat to get a victory in Nairobi.

“They really held us, and we had to fight to win this game. They are a good team, but I’m happy we have won to ease pressure on us ahead of the final game against Azam,” said Amine.

The loss still leaves Naibois at the bottom, but they hold the destiny of AS Maniema in making it to the quarter-finals.

After five matches, Wydad leads on 12 points while both AS Maniema and Azam have nine points but the Congolese side have a superior goal difference of +2. Wydad hosts Azam in the last game of the group B on Sunday in Morocco.

The first two teams from the group will make it to the quarter-final stage.

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