Premium
Azam dims Nairobi United's chances of reaching Confed Cup quarters
Duncan Omalla of Nairobi United celebrates his goal against Azam during a Caf Confederation Cup group match at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on January 25, 2026.
What you need to know:
- The Kenyan team lost 3-0 to Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, and 1-0 to Maniema Union from the Democratic Republic of Congo in November.
- On Sunday, there was a glimmer of hope that the host would keep alive their slim quarter-finals dreams after they took the lead in the 13th minute.
Kenya’s Nairobi United are all but out of the running at this season’s CAF Confederation Cup after losing their third consecutive group match on Sunday.
Nairobi, nicknamed “Naibois”, fell 2-1 to Tanzania’s Azam in their Group “B” match at Nyayo National Stadium.
The Kenyan team lost 3-0 to Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, and 1-0 to Maniema Union from the Democratic Republic of Congo in November. Nairobi United remains bottom of the pool with zero points.
Ahead of the match, Casablanca topped the standings with six points followed by Maniema on the same number of points but an inferior goal difference. Casablanca were scheduled to face Maniema in Morocco later on Sunday evening.
Making their maiden appearance in the CAF interclub competitions, Nairobi impressed by qualifying for a rare group stage of the Confederation Cup. However, the going has been tough for them in this stage.
On Sunday, there was a glimmer of hope that the host would keep alive their slim quarter-finals dreams after they took the lead in the 13th minute through a sumptuous strike by forward Duncan Omala.
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.
Latching onto a Michael Karamor’s pass outside the box, the 20-year-old Duncan beat Azam goalkeeper Zuberi Masudi with an ambitious rising shot.
However, the lead was short-lived as Congolose forward Jephte Kitambala equalised for the visitors just three minute later. He capitalised on a poor marking to turn inside the box and rifle the ball into the net.
Earlier in the second minute, Tanzania international Feisal Abdallah squandered a glorious opportunity to put Azam ahead when he fired wide from close range.
Nairobi’s first attacking move came in the sixth minute when speedy winger Ovella Ochieng whipped in a cross from the right, which the visitor’s captain Lusajo Mwaikenda cleared for a throw-in.
Kitambala had also tasted Nairobi’s goalkeeper Ernest Mohammed with a low shot. Mohammed made a couple of additional saves, standing firm to keep the scores level.
At the stroke of halftime, Nairobi suffered a blow when Ochieng picked up an injury just after goalkeeper Masudi had saved his effort. He was replaced by Charles Waibi.
