CAF CC: No happy ending for Nairobi United as Congolese giants dash hopes for first group stage win
.jpeg)
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 15.02.26. | 20:21
Tanzania's Azam FC also exited the tournament after losing 2-0 to Morocco's Wydad Casablanca
Nairobi United completed their CAF Confederation Cup (CAF CC) journey with a 3-0 loss to Congolese side AS Maniema in a Group B match played at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi.
The Mozzart Bet Cup defending champions were already out of the competition before the match having been at the bottom of Group B without a point.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
Moroccan club Wydad AC were at the summit of the group with 12 points, three more than that of both Maniema and Azam FC.
Maniema began the match on the front foot and took the lead inside five minutes through Benny Namboka who got to the end of an Obed Mbala pass to break the deadlock.
The home side continued to exert their dominance and almost doubled their lead in the 21st minute when Lina Bokomboli, Kinda Mboma, Clement Pitroipa and Namboka exchanged beautiful quick passes but Pitroipia’s attempt went wide off the right post.
Naibois reacted by launching an attack immediately but John Otieno’s header calmly collected by Detan Ogundare in the Maniema goal.
Naibois went close to scoring in the 27th minute when Maniema lost possession at the back in a lapse of concentration, but recovered in time to prevent any harm from Dancun Omala.
Two minutes later, Maniema doubled their lead through Namboka, who sealed his brace in style.
Maniema were not done as they added a third in the 44th minute through Mboma Kinda from a Bokomboli assist
The goal was Kinda’s second against Naibois after scoring the lone goal in the first leg in Nairobi.
With a 3-0 lead at half time, Maniema were in pole position to seal qualification to the last eight in front of the home fans.
In a bid to chase the game, as well as give chance to other players, coach Salim Ali made four changes at half time, introducing goalkeeper Benard Jairo, Enock Machaka, Muhadjiri Hakitimana and Kefa Nakhumicha for Kevin Oduor, John Otieno, Shami Mwinyi and Gideon Otieno.
While Naibois had more possession of the ball and started to threaten the Maniema defense, their hopes were crushed in the 58th minute when they were reduced to 10 men after Machaka was shown a red card.
However, even with momentum shifting to Maniema, Naibois were alert to prevent any other goal as the teams went on to settle for a 3,-0 scoreline.
In the other group match, Wydad handed Tanzanian side Azam FC a 2-0 defeat to end their quarter final hopes.
An own goal in the 64th minute by Pascal Msindo and a 94th minute strike by Walid Nassi secured three points for the Moroccan giants.
Wydad and Maniema qualified to the last eight as Group B representatives with 15 points and 12 points respectively.
Meanwhile, Azam and Naibois kissed the tournament goodbye.