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Nairobi United search for first points in group phase
Kevin Otiende (centre) of Nairobi United dribbles past Nuru Twalib and Lusajo Mwaikenda of Azam during a Caf Confederation Cup group match at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on January 25, 2026.
Nairobi United’s technical director, Salim Ali, has urged his team to finish their two remaining CAF Confederation Cup matches on a high even as they pick valuable experience in their maiden appearance in continental championships.
The FKF Mozzart Bet Cup champions will host one-time champions Wydad Casablanca of Morocco at Nyayo National Stadium today from 3pm in their fifth Group “B” fixture with just pride to play for after falling out of the running for a quarter-final berth.
Wydad won the first leg of the fixture 3-0 in Casablanca on November 23.
Ali said their focus was on beating Wydad Casablanca to end their winless run, which stands at four matches.
They will wind up their African campaign next Sunday away to AS Maniema of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“We are not point donors in the remaining matches and will play with all our hearts out because we don’t want to finish the group without a point,” said Ali.
“It has been a good experience as a team, but we want to finish the remaining two games with good results. If we can get four or three points, that would be good because we will achieve our aim,” said Ali yesterday.
Nairobi United lost 1-0 to Azam United last Sunday in Zanzibar and got a rude welcome home a few days later, losing 3-1 to unfancied APS Bomet in a midweek SportPesa Premier League fixture.
“These two losses were not good for us, and that is why we have to bounce back in this clash against Wydad. We have to taste a win in the CAF group stage, and we shall fight for it,” added Ali, a former Mathare United and Sofapaka coach.
Nairobi United aka “Naibois” will certainly have a say in how the group ends.
Wydad lead the table on nine points, followed in second place by Maniema on nine points as well, but with an inferior goal difference.
Azam are third on six points and very much in the running for a quarter spot.
Azam were due to face AS Maniema last night before winding up their group campaign away to Wydad.
Experienced Nairobi United defender Brian Magare has also called on his teammates to fight for their first group points.
“We are expecting a tough match against a really good opponent. We are looking to bounce back and get back to winning ways, and this would be a good place for us to start,” said Magare.
“At the moment, the experience we are getting is more important than anything else. As much as we are out of the tournament, we are looking to learn as much as possible in the final games,” added Magare.
Naibois’ only goal in the group stage was netted two weeks ago by their lead striker, Duncan Omala, in a 2-1 loss to Azaz at Nyayo National Stadium.
The Nairobi side qualified for the group phase after eliminating Sportiff de Etoile Sportive du Sahel of Tunisia 7-6 on penalties following a 2-2 aggregate deadlock in the second preliminary round.
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