Ali Salim on how Nairobi United will balance Ramadan and match commitments
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 18.02.26. | 15:02
Ramadan began on Tuesday, 17 February, and will run until Thursday, 19 March, with Naibois having several Muslim players in their squad
Nairobi United Technical Director Salim Ali has opened up on how his side plans to manage training, matchday routines, and player welfare during the holy month of Ramadan.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
The former Mathare United tactician insisted that fasting will not derail the club’s ambitions.
Ramadan began on Tuesday, 17 February, and will run until Thursday, 19 March, with Naibois having several Muslim players in their squad.
Among them are Yusuf Mainge, Ugandan left-back Mustafa Kizza, Ashraf Dahir and Majaliwa Charo.
Salim himself is also Muslim, a factor he believes helps foster understanding and balance within the team.
Drawing from personal experience, Salim dismissed the idea that Ramadan should slow down the team’s momentum.
“Ramadan is here, but during my teenage years, I trained throughout the fasting period. It’s not a reason to stop us. Once you approach it with a positive mindset, everything works out,” he told Mozzart Sport.
The coach explained that the club’s daily training program accommodates players who fast without compromising performance.
“The players only train for two to three hours. After that, they can go home, rest, and observe their Ramadan rituals. In fact, the team program accommodates those who fast, and it’s not only Muslim players who fast.
© Tabby NashipaeSome teammates show solidarity, and the coaches are supportive as well,” Salim noted.
According to him, this culture of mutual respect has been deliberately cultivated within the club.
“That’s the culture we have tried to build. Not everyone supports it, of course, but most do,” he offered.
Salim also addressed concerns around match schedules and iftar, noting that the local football calendar makes it manageable.
“It would be difficult for iftar (the meal taken after sunset during Ramadan) to coincide with a match because we don’t have night fixtures; most games are played from 3 pm.
By 5 pm, the match is over, so it’s up to the players to make use of that window, get home in time to break their fast and pray,” he explained.
For Salim, the key lies in preparation and planning.
“Ultimately, it’s about planning. Just as training continues in Europe or America during winter conditions, the programme goes on. Players attend training and then take their time afterwards to observe their commitments,” he said.
Naibois returned home on Tuesday, 17 February, following a heavy 3–0 defeat to Maniema Union in DR Congo, during which Enock Machaka was sent off.