Nairobi United Silenced by Solitary Maniema Strike in Kasarani Heartbreak

Naibois were punished for missed chance suffering a painful home defeat to Maniema in their CAF Confederation Cup clash.

Nairobi United suffered a 1-0 defeat at home against DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union, extending a frustrating start to their debut CAF Confederation Cup group stage campaign.

The Kenyan side was left to rue a lack of clinical finishing at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani on Sunday in a  result that leaves them  anchored at the bottom of Group B without a point, while the Congolese visitors maintained a perfect record to stay level with heavyweights Wydad AC.

The encounter began at a frantic pace, with the visitors looking to silence the home crowd early as in the fourth minute, Maniema earned their first corner signaling their intent. 

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Nairobi United survived a major scare in the seventh when a defensive lapse allowed Christian Balako a clear sight of goal; fortunately for the hosts, the striker miscontrolled the ball, and the subsequent effort from Obed Mbala whistled inches wide.

After weathering the early storm, Nairobi United grew into the game, orchestrating neat interplay through Enock Machaka and Kevin Otiende. The hosts created their best passage of play midway through the first half. In the 17th minute, a fluid combination involving Shami Kibwana and Machaka resulted in a dangerous cross across the face of the goal, but forward Michael Karamor arrived a fraction of a second too late to make contact.

Just five minutes later Machaka turned provider again, threading a defense-splitting pass to Duncan Omalla. The striker did the hard work by dribbling past two defenders but dragged his final shot agonizingly wide of the upright.

In the 35th minute, Otiende’s overlap produced a teasing cross that required a desperate clearance from Maniema captain Osee Ndombele. On the stroke of halftime, in Karamor unleashed a stinging drive, but Maniema goalkeeper Detan Ogundare produced a smart save to ensure the sides went into the break level.

The second half began with renewed optimism for Nairobi United, who almost took the lead in the 55th minute when Machaka’s delivery once again evaded the onrushing attackers. 

However, the tide turned when Maniema coach Papy Okitankoy introduced substitutes Jeancy Mboma and Sylva Tshitenge. The changes injected pace into the visitors' attack, causing immediate headaches for the Nairobi backline.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 67th minute, silencing the vibrant home support. Capitalizing on their second-half dominance, Maniema exploited space on the flank where the ball was worked into the area. The substitute, Mboma, curled a precise effort past goalkeeper Kevin Oduor, punishing the hosts for their earlier profligacy.

Nairobi United coach Salim Ali responded by throwing on Adams Nyang’ate and shifting to a three-man defense in a desperate bid to salvage a point.

 Despite resorting to direct long balls and applying late pressure, the Naibois could not find a way past a disciplined Congolese defense. 

The defeat marks a harsh lesson in continental football for the Nairobi side, who must now regroup quickly if they hope to keep their Confederation Cup dreams alive.

How they lined up:

Nairobi United Starting XI: Kevin Oduor, Yusuf Mainge, John Onyango, Shami Kibwana, Kevin Otiende, Michael Karamor, Lesley Owino, Dancan Oluoch Omalla, Lennox Ogutu, Enock Machaka

Maniema Union Staring XI: Detan Odundare,Jordi Mukoko, Charve Sangana, Clement Pitroipa, Obed Mbala, Jeancy Lita, Dieu Merci Lupini, Moanda Exaucia, Christian Balako, Osee Ndombele, Ozome Chadoma