CAF CC: Azam's Kshs 45 million star strikes to deepen Nairobi United's woes in Group B
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 01.02.26. | 20:55
The Naibois have lost all their Group B matches, a run that leaves them with no chance of qualifying to the quarterfinals
Nairobi United will wait longer for their first win in the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup after losing 1-0 to Tanzania's Azam FC on Sunday at Amaan Stadium.
Godfrey Oduor's charges had hoped to break their winless jinx in Group B of the competition, but were condemned to yet another loss, effectively extinguishing their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals.
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The team, commonly known as Naibois, had also hoped to revenge last weekend's 2-1 loss suffered at the hands of Azam at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Heading into the match, Naibois needed nothing short of a win to keep their otherwise slim hopes of qualifying to the last eight of the tournament..
The reigning Mozzart Bet Cup champions were at the bottom of Group B with no points after three matches.
Before kick off, Moroccan side Wydad AC were at the top of the log with nine points, a tally similar to that of Congolese outfit Maniema. Azam were third with three points.
Just like Naibois, Azam needed to secure a win to improve their chances of reaching the last eight, a fact that made them begin the match with a high tempo in search of an early goal.
In the third minute, Jephte Kitambala went down hoping for a penalty after minimal contact, but the referee waved play on.
Azam almost took the lead in the sixth minute when Feisal 'Fei Toto' Salum hit the crossbar with the second ball being skied by Kitambala.
Iddi Alli made a clever run behind the Naibois defense in the tenth minute but he was flagged offside before pulling the trigger.
Nairobi United launched a counter attack in the 11th minute, but Dancun Omalla could not find his elder brother Benson Omalla.
From the resulting ball, Azam started a counter attack of their own, with Yahya Zaid playing the ball to Fei Toto, who beat Lennox Ogutu and hit the ball past Kevin Oduor to break the deadlock in the 12th minute.
Nairobi's first chance came in the 25th minute when Dancun got to the end if a cross but his header was weak and well collected by the goalkeeper.
At the hour mark, Naibois’ new signing Hakitimana Muhadjiri went into the referee’s book for cynical foul.
Dancun whipped in a dangerous cross in the 39th minute, but the Azam defense was alert to clear the ball.
Coach Salim Ali replaced Muhadjiri with Enock Machaka just before restart.
Fei Toto,who is valued at Kshs 45 million by Transfermarkt, almost grabbed a brace in the 53rd minute but his strike was well saved by Oduor.
By the hour mark, the Tanzanian side had intensified their attacks in search for a second goal, but Oduor pulled decent saves to keep the scoreline within their reach.
Azam also defended well to take maximum points, keeping their hopes of reaching the knockout stage well alive.
Azam host Maniema in their next match on Sunday, 8 February, while Naibois will welcome group leaders Wydad AC.
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