Africa-Press – Kenya. A cruel 78th-minute own goal condemned Nairobi United to a painful 2–1 defeat against Tanzania’s Azam FC in a fiercely contested CAF Confederation Cup Group B clash at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday, leaving the Kenyan side’s continental hopes hanging by a thread.
In a match they could ill afford to lose, Nairobi United briefly ignited the Nyayo terraces when second-half substitute Duncan Omala fired the hosts into the lead in the 53rd minute.
But the joy was short-lived. Azam’s Congolese forward Jephte Kitambala struck back six minutes later before misfortune struck late on, when a defensive mix-up resulted in an own goal that handed the visitors all three points.
The defeat leaves Nairobi United rooted to the bottom of Group B without a point after three matches, their Confederation Cup dream now in serious jeopardy.
Speaking after the final whistle, Nairobi United technical director Salim Ali cut a frustrated but composed figure as he lamented his side’s inability to manage key moments. “At this level, you are punished immediately for the smallest mistakes,” said Ali.
“We controlled large spells of the game, especially after scoring, but we failed to manage the next five minutes and again failed to close the match when it mattered,” Ali admitted.
The late own goal summed up Nairobi United’s campaign so far. “That moment in the 78th minute tells the whole story of our group stage. It’s not about effort—the boys gave everything—but concentration and decision-making at crucial moments have let us down.”
The tactician insisted his side had prepared thoroughly for Azam and believed the match was there to be won. “We knew Azam would be dangerous on transitions, especially through Kitambala. We talked about it, we trained for it, but one lapse and they punished us.”
Ali also defended his decision to introduce Omala from the bench. “Duncan has been sharp in training, and we felt his movement could trouble their backline. He took his goal very well, and at that point we believed the momentum had shifted in our favour.”
However, he acknowledged that Nairobi United failed to build on their advantage. “After going ahead, we didn’t keep the ball well enough. We dropped too deep, invited pressure and against experienced sides in Africa, that is dangerous.”
Despite the bleak situation, Ali refused to abandon hope ahead of the return leg in Dar es Salaam on February 1. “We are bottom today, yes, but football changes quickly. We still have matches to play, and we must show character, especially away.”
He added that the group stage has been a steep learning curve. “This competition is teaching us hard lessons, but these lessons will make the club stronger in the long run if we respond the right way.”
On the other bench, Azam FC head coach Florent Ibenge praised his side’s resilience after falling behind early in the second half. “We knew this would not be an easy match. Nyayo Stadium is never simple, and Nairobi United are very aggressive at home,” said the former DR Congo international.
“When they scored, we did not panic. We stayed organised and trusted our game plan.” Ibenge singled out Kitambala’s equaliser as the turning point.
“Jephte is a player who needs only half a chance. That goal gave us belief again and shifted the psychological balance.” He admitted the winning goal came with an element of fortune but insisted it was deserved.
“We were putting pressure, forcing mistakes, and eventually the goal came. Sometimes football gives you moments like that.” The Azam coach also praised his players’ discipline in the closing stages. “The last ten minutes were about mentality. We had to suffer, defend together and show experience — and the boys did exactly that.”
The result leaves Nairobi United at the bottom of Group B with zero points from three matches. Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca top the group with six points from two games, level with AS Maniema Union, while Azam move into third on three points.
Nairobi United’s campaign has so far been unforgiving, beginning with a 3–0 loss to Wydad Casablanca, followed by a narrow 1–0 home defeat to Maniema before Sunday’s heartbreak. The two sides will meet again in the reverse fixture in Tanzania on February 1, a must-win encounter if Nairobi United are to keep their continental hopes alive.
