Steep learning curve for Nairobi United in Africa Cup

It is the aftermath of Nairobi United’s 1-0 home loss to AS Maniema Union of the Democratic Republic of Congo in their 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup Group ‘B’ match – their second defeat in the competition’s round-robin phase after losing 3-0 away to Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca on November 23.

Salim Ali, Nairobi United’s technical director, appears at the brightly-lit mixed zone at Kasarani, coming face to face with cameras and microphones waiting for him and his players. The stationary cameras and stretched microphones transmit pressure to explain unmet expectations and Ali lightens the mood before a question is asked.  

“You media people should be positive at times. Do not always be negative. Last two games.., last two games..., last two games…,” Ali joked about the questions that he had been asked during the post-match press conference held 30 minutes earlier, having the same opening.

During the press conference, Ali had attributed the loss to Maniema to lack of concentration and his opponents being more experienced.

Beatable team

“We lost three points at home to a beatable team. You do not need to score three or four goals to win a match at this level. One goal is enough to make the difference, and we gave our opponents that opportunity. In the second half, we were rushed in our play to make amends for the many chances we missed in the first half. That left gaps for Maniema to exploit. Maniema are experienced at this level. They made the second half difficult for us. They managed the game, wasted time, and it became hard for us to create more chances,” Ali said.

At the mixed zone, Ali reiterated those remarks. “Against Wydad it was the same case. We lost concentration early and late in the game. We also created chances which led to two disallowed goals.”

He also praised the depth of his squad but still intimated the club needs to sign experienced players in January who will help kick-start their campaign when the competition resumes next month.

“Nairobi United has quality players, and we are also giving opportunities to young players. For instance, we have a player called Kefa Nakhumicha who has never played in the Premier League, the National Super League, or Division One, but he made his debut for Nairobi United today against Maniema. Still, even as we give opportunities to young players, it is necessary to have experienced players. We have identified positions that need reinforcement, and we will make signings in January. Hopefully, they will make a difference for us next year,” Ali stated.

Suspension and illness

Nairobi United’s starting line-up against Maniema had an average age of 24.90 years, compared to Maniema’s 24.54 years. Defensive midfielder Brian Mzee, 28, and winger Ovella Ochieng’, 25, would have added to their experience, but they missed the match due to suspension and illness, respectively.

“Ovella returned ill with malaria after playing for Harambee Stars in Turkey. He braved illness to feature against Wydad because we needed him. We missed his speed on the wing today. Mzee would have given simplicity and urgency in midfield. Still, their absence allowed us to test the level of other players,” Ali said.

Ali has consistently praised the fighting spirit of his players. On Sunday, he chorused his admiration of their character.

“I have players who are young but have very strong character. They adjust to situations easily, and despite losing to Wydad and Maniema, they were not bulldozed,” Ali said.

Later, the club’s midfielder Enock Machaka arrived at the mixed zone with the evening’s most profound comment. He uttered a clichéd football phrase – football is a man’s sport – but he did so in Kiswahili, giving the hackneyed remark a deeper meaning. “Football ni ya wanaume,” Machaka said, emphasising a need for him and his teammates to level up.

“We have to go hard. Nothing comes easy. We lacked experience, even though we were better tactically. We dominated possession and created chances, but our finishing was poor,” Machaka added, expounding on his philosophical quip. John Otieno, the team’s captain, attributed the team’s character to a strong desire to make history with a team that was founded just seven years ago.

“What motivates us to succeed is our self-belief and desire to make our team proud. The team has been around for a short time, and no one wants to be left behind as it makes history,” Otieno, 25, said.

Fighting spirit

Otieno lists the team’s character and fighting spirit as one of the positives he is picking from their performance in this season’s CAF Confederation Cup.

“Despite losing in our first two matches, we are leaving a mark with our attitude. After we played Wydad, their club president visited our hotel to congratulate us on our performance. People had written us off before the match, saying things like we will lose 8-0 because Asante Kotoko of Ghana had travelled to Wydad a month earlier and lost 5-1. Despite being underdogs, we gave Wydad a hard time and for their president to visit us and tell us that, it keeps us positive,” Otieno shared.

Nairobi United had an all-Kenyan starting XI against Maniema, and only one foreigner – the Rwandese Prince Buregeya – started for them against Wydad. Wydad started six non-Moroccans against Nairobi United, while Maniema’s starting XI against Naibois had two foreigners.

Commenting on that, Otieno described that contrast as an affirmation of Kenyan football talent that makes Nairobi United feel like “the national football team”. “We are a group of hard-working young lads, and going out there to represent the country makes us feel very proud because, despite playing for Nairobi United, we feel like we are donning the national team jersey,” Otieno stated.

The Kenyan national anthem starts with a prayer, and at Nairobi United, as Otieno further revealed, belief in God – like in Rudyard Kipling’s poem If – helps them treat triumph and disaster just the same. The hashtag ‘#GodSikuZote’ (God everyday) features in all their social media posts, and reflecting on the losses to Wydad and Maniema, Otieno said they still had a reason to thank God.

“We are surrounded by people who believe in God. Religion dictates rhythm and routines in our team. We have bible studies, and on Fridays, we commune in prayer with players who are Muslims. We believe that everything is under God’s plan. We wanted to win today, but even if it did not happen, we are grateful that none of our players got a serious injury. We believe that God has written our destiny and He will guide us there,” Otieno said.