CAFCC: Nairobi United extend poor run as Ziyech inspires Wydad to slim win in Nairobi

Wydad AC left it late to secure an important 1-0 victory over Nairobi United in a CAF Confederation Cup match played on Sunday, 8 February at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Wydad went into the match top of Group B with nine points, same as Maniema and Yanga, while Naibois were yet to earn a point in the group.

Wydad started the match on a high, with great pace and tempo, a testament to their quality and experience in the competition.

By the tenth minute, Wydad’s were enjoying a lion's share of possession, with former Chelsea FC star Hakim Ziyech attempting a couple of defence-splitting passes.

In the 18th minute, Ziyech found his captain Noureddine Amrabat with a pass to the right which the full back controlled and unleashed a shot that called for a save from Kevin Oduor in the Nairobi goalkeeper.

Ziyech, who appeared to drop deeper in midfield, launched a series of long and accurate diagonal balls that were a source of headaches to the Naibois defense.

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Naibois had the first major chance in the 20th minute when Lesley Otieno picked a loose ball in the middle of the park, drove to the edge of the box and pulled the trigger but El Mehdi Benabid was there to parry it away. 

Wydad had a chance to take the lead in the 23rd minute when Ziyech floated in an enticing ball from a free kick, that Mousaddaq Sallah met with a header but Oduir was equal to the task.

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As half time approached, Ziyech released Amrabat in what was a familiar combination, where the latter pulled the trigger but the ball went inches wide for a corner.

From the resultant corner, Ziyech met the ball on a volley but his shot went wide with the half time whistle blowing shortly thereafter.

In the second half, Wydad, once again, started on a high, with Ziyech and Moises Painagua threatening early in the half

Wydad had their first chance in the 50th minute when Ziyech took a free kick after a Yusuf Mainge handball, but his ball was well saved by Oduor.

The shot stopper was back at it three minutes later, punching away a Boucheta cross to deny the waiting Amrabat.

The flurry of chances continued to fall on Wydad’s way when Ziyech took a free kick from his favorite left foot, but it was blocked for a corner.

Paniagua had an attempt in the 65th minute but it was blocked by the impressive Steve Biko, who was standing tall in the Naibois defense.

In a bid to find a goal, Wydad made triple substitution in the 66th minute, bringing on Abdelghafor Lamirat, Ben Yeddar and Walid Yassi for Naim Byar, Ziyech and Vaca Ponce.

The Omalla brothers combined in the 73rd minute ,with Dancan finding his brother Benson who stretched to let the ball with a feeble shot that was saved

Ssematimba had a glorious chance to break the deadlock in the 75th minute, but could not pass into the empty it lacked power as Banabid recovered.

The match was temporarily stopped in the 80th minute when Wydad ultra lighted lasers that filled the stadium with noise and smoke as they pushed their team.

The match’s all important goal came in the 88th minute when Walid Nassi brought in a cross from the right that was met by French International Ben Yedder, who headed home to send the Wydad side of the stadium into a frenzy.

Naibois’ Biko was sent off in the 93rd minute for a denial of goal scoring opportunity foul on Nassi.

In the end, Wydad picked a win that took them clear of Group B with 12 points, three better than Maniema and Azam while Naibois remain without a point.

The Mozzart Bet Cup defending champions will face Maniema in their next match set for Sunday, 15 February.