Wasteful Nairobi United Punished as Maniema Edge Cagey CAF Confederation Cup Clash

Nairobi United endured a painful lesson in continental football after falling 1–0 at home to DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union in a tense CAF Confederation Cup group-stage encounter at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. It was a result that left the Naibois empty-handed for the second straight match, while Maniema maintained their perfect start to stay level with African giants Wydad AC.

The game opened at a blistering pace, with Maniema immediately signalling their intent. Inside four minutes they won the first corner, and moments later a defensive mix-up almost gifted them an early goal. Christian Balako found himself clean through but miscontrolled at the crucial moment, allowing Nairobi United to scramble clear as Obed Mbala’s follow-up effort fizzed narrowly wide.

After surviving the early storm, Nairobi United settled into rhythm through Enock Machaka and Kevin Otiende, stitching together neat combinations that lifted the home crowd. Their first major opening came in the 17th minute, when Shami Kibwana and Machaka combined brilliantly to send a dangerous ball across goal but Michael Karamor arrived a split-second too late.

Five minutes later Machaka split the Maniema defence with a superb through ball for Duncan Omalla. The striker danced past two defenders but dragged his final effort agonisingly wide, the kind of miss that comes back to haunt teams in tight continental battles.

Nairobi pressed again in the 35th minute, Otiende’s overlapping run producing a teasing cross that forced a desperate clearance from captain Osee Ndombele. And on the stroke of halftime, Karamor unleashed a fierce drive that had goal written all over it until Detan Ogundare parried smartly to deny the hosts.

With the match goalless at the break, Nairobi United emerged hungry for the opener. In the 55th minute, Machaka delivered yet another dangerous ball across the face of goal, but once again there was no finishing touch.

Then came the turning point.

Sensing vulnerability, Maniema coach Papy Okitankoy introduced Jeancy Mboma and Sylva Tshitenge substitutes who instantly transformed the visitors’ tempo. Their pace and directness stretched Nairobi United’s backline, and the pressure soon told.

In the 67th minute, Maniema sliced through on the flank, working the ball into the box where Mboma one of the fresh legs curled a brilliant effort beyond Kevin Oduor. It was a ruthless finish, punishing the Naibois for the chances they had wasted earlier.

Chasing the game, coach Salim Ali threw on Adams Nyang’ate and switched to a three-man defence in search of an equaliser. Nairobi United launched long balls, pushed bodies forward and pinned Maniema back in the closing stages but the Congolese side held firm, showing the discipline and maturity of seasoned continental competitors.

In the end, Nairobi United were left to rue the narrow misses that defined their evening. Their debut CAF group-stage campaign grows more difficult, and they now sit bottom of Group B without a point.

The Naibois must regroup quickly if they hope to revive their Confederation Cup ambitions and learn fast from the unforgiving reality of football at this level.