Africa-Press – Kenya. Nairobi United technical director Salim Ali has rallied his squad ahead of their final CAF Confederation Cup group matches, urging them to “step on the gas pedal” and end their continental campaign with pride.
Naibois, still without a point in Group B, face Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday before travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo on February 15 to play AS Maniema Union.
Salim admitted the task ahead is difficult but insisted the team can still finish strongly. “We know the task is tough, but football is about spirit and resilience.
Our boys must show courage in these final two matches,” he said. Nairobi United’s debut campaign has been a tough one. They have lost all four matches so far.
Their latest result was a 1–0 defeat to AS Maniema at Nyayo Stadium. Before that, they fell 2–1 to Tanzanian side Azam FC at home and lost 1–0 to the same opponents in Zanzibar.
They also suffered a 3–0 defeat to Wydad in Morocco on November 23. Salim urged his players to learn from the setbacks. “Every match teaches us something.
We have learned our weaknesses and now we must translate that into strength on the pitch,” he said. He believes the remaining fixtures offer a chance to gain respect and experience.
“Playing against top sides like Wydad and Maniema exposes our players to high-quality football. This is a chance to grow, and we must seize it,” he added. Wydad lead Group B with nine points.
After beating Nairobi United 3–0 in Morocco, they went on to defeat Azam 1–0 in Zanzibar and AS Maniema 1–0 at home before losing 2–1 to Maniema in the DRC on February 1.
AS Maniema are second on nine points, behind Wydad on goal difference, while Azam are third with six. Nairobi United remain bottom without a point. Despite the results, Salim said his team will not give up.
“Our goal is to play with intensity and pride. Even if points are hard to come by, we must finish our campaign with dignity,” he said.
He stressed the need for balance in their approach. “We must be organised defensively but also take calculated risks in attack. The boys are capable of producing moments of brilliance.
”Salim also highlighted the mental side of the game.
“Football is as much in the mind as it is on the legs. Confidence is key. We will go into these matches believing in ourselves,” he said. He plans to use the final games to assess young players.
“These matches are an opportunity to test younger players against high-level competition.
The experience gained here is priceless. ” Although qualification is out of reach, Salim said a strong finish still matters. “We may not advance, but we can leave a mark.
Our performances must reflect our ambition and professionalism,” he said. He called for unity and discipline within the squad. “Every player must commit fully.
No excuses. Together, we can make these final two matches memorable, not for results alone, but for the spirit we show. ”Salim said the team owes its supporters a strong effort.
“We owe it to our fans, our city, and ourselves. Let’s play with courage, heart, and pride. That is our message,” he said.
With Wydad’s attacking strength and Maniema’s resilience, Nairobi United face tough opposition. Still, Salim remains confident. “These are challenging games, but we are not going to back down. Our goal is to fight for every ball, every chance, and every moment on the pitch,” he said.
