CAF CC: Nairobi's inexperience shows again as Tanzania’s Azam come from behind to foil search for first group stage win
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 25.01.26. | 18:24
The hosts had hoped to capitalise on home advantage and secure the first win in Group B of the competition
Nairobi United's chances of advancing to the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation Cup suffered yet another blow after going down 2-1 to Tanzania's Azam FC on Sunday, 25 January at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Heading into the match, both teams had not earned a point nor scored in the previous group stages of the current campaign.
The match started with a high tempo, with both teams seemingly looking for early goals.
Feisal 'Fei Toto' Salum came close to breaking the deadlock, in the first minute, after being set up by Jephte Kitambala, but his shot went wide.
Naibois appeared to opt for direct balls, launching deep into Azam area, but could not break the deadlock.
The hosts rook the lead in the 14th minute through Duncan Omalla, who curled the ball to the roof of the goal after being picked up by Michael Karamor.
Azam seemed to have been rattled by the goal and intensified their attack in search of an equalizer, which came five minutes later.
From a Naibois restart, Ernest Mohammed had a poor kick that found an Azam player in the middle of the park.
Yoro Diaby launched an attack in the box which the burly Kitambala controlled, before turning and striking it past Mohammed who was off his line for a 19th minute equalizer.
Kitambala could have given Azam the lead in the half hour mark but his strike from a Feisal Toto ball went inches off the left post.
The match’s tempo slowed down after the 30th minute with the battle shifting to midfield where each side was striving to have control.
In the 41st minute, Azam had an opportunity to put the ball inside Naibois’ box from a Lesley Owino foul but Feisal Toto’s free kick was calmly collected by Mohammed.
Three minutes later, Ovella Ochieng, who had switched sides, picked a ball from midfield, dribbled towards the left byline before cutting in-and unleashing a shot but it was direct to the hands of Zuberi Masudi.
From the attempt, Ochieng injured his shoulder after contact with an opponent and was subbed off in the 45th minute, with Ugandan winger Charles Waibi taking his place.
The Ugandan was adjudged to have entered the field of play without the approval of the match official, and was ordered to go off fast before returning and earning a booking in the process.
Both teams made substitutions at half time, with Azam bringing on Sereri Zidane for Cheikna Diakite, while Naibois took off the ineffective Karamor for debutant Benson Omalla.
It was Azam who had the half’s first chance, as Kitambala picked a ball from the right side but shot off target.
The 27-year-old was back at it in the 48th minute when he was fed by a Pascal Msindo cross but once again, directed his header wide.
Iddi Alli tested Mohammed with a strike in the 50th minute but the Ghanaian was equal to the wide, making a good save.
Naibois almost took the lead in the 73rd minute through Waibi who got to the end of a Duncan Omalla cross, but his effort went inches wide.
Five minutes later, Azam reaped from their attacks when Alli found Himid Mkami Mao who slotted in past Mohammed to give Azam the lead.
Alli was at the end of Azam’s 88th minute chance but his free kick after a foul by Lennox Ogutu went over the bar.
With the reserve referee indicating six minutes of added time, Naibois’ intensified their search for an equalizer, and probably a winner, but it did not come with the match ending in a 2-1 win for Azam.
With the result, Azam earned their first three points to remain third, while Naibois’ qualification chances got complicated with three losses in three matches.
Nairobi United Starting XI: Ernest Mohammed, Yusuf Mainge, Kevin Otiende, John Otieno, Lennox Ogutu, Roy Okal, Lesley Owino, Enock Machaka, Dancun Omala, Michael Karamor, Ovella Ochieng
Azam FC Starting XI: Zubedi Masudi, Yoro Diaby, Lusajo Mwaikenda, Feisalslillah, Pascal Msindo, Elias Lameck, Cheikna Diakite, Yahya Omari, Iddi Alli, Jephte Kitambala, Himid Mkami.
