Salim Ali explains slow integration of Nairobi United new signings
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 21.01.26. | 08:09
The club has been on a signing spree in the January transfer window, bringing in the Ugandan trio of Charles Waibi, Mustapha Kizza, and Titus Ssematimba,
Nairobi United stand in coach Salim Ali has explained why the team’s new signings have not been playing as many minutes as expected, despite the club spending millions to bring them in.
The club has been on a signing spree in the January transfer window, bringing in the Ugandan trio of Charles Waibi, Mustapha Kizza, and Titus Ssematimba, as well as Steve Biko, John Njuguna, and Roy Okal.
The Ugandan trio, in particular, have not seen as much playing time as Okal and Biko, both of whom started against Kenya Police on Monday, 19 January, with Ali explaining the delayed integration during his post-match press conference.
“We have had little preparation time due to back-to-back games, and that has made it difficult for the new signings to settle in and gel with the team. But once the schedule eases and as we continue playing, they will be up to speed,” said Ali.
In the Monday afternoon clash, Nairobi United took the lead in the 69th minute through an own goal by Jacques Bowamba before Yves Koutima drew Kenya Police level in the 84th minute, a draw that Ali considered as two points dropped.
“We lost two points. We played well, but a lapse of concentration in defence cost us. Police also did well by adding more numbers up front, which we struggled to cope with.
“Unlike Gor Mahia, who played Police in both the cup and the league and therefore know them well, this was our first match against Police, so maybe we will do better against them in the second leg,” he added.
The former Mathare United head coach also took time to clarify the role that Police head coach Nicholas Muyoti held at Nairobi United, while downplaying their face off in the match.
“Muyoti was not my head coach. I was his head coach. He was my assistant, and maybe people did not know that. However, I did not play against Muyoti. Nairobi United played against Police, who have had momentum as defending champions.”
Nairobi United are currently seventh on the log with 24 points and will play fellow league newcomers APS Bomet on 28 January in their next league match.
Before then, the Johnson Sakaja-backed outfit will lock horns with Tanzanian side Azam FC in a CAF Confederation Cup match on Sunday 25 January.
