Nairobi United’s fairytale run on the continental 25/26 CAF Confederation Cup will come to an end in the Group Stage phase after succumbing to a fourth straight loss with a 1-0 defeat against Tanzanian outfit Azam.
In the matchday 4 clash staged at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Sunday, Fei Toto’s first half strike ensured the Kenyan side were mathematically out of contention as they sit in last place in Group B on 0 points while Wydad and Maniema, who occupy the top two qualifying slots, are on 9 points with only two games left to play.
Naibois, who qualified to the group stage of the continental tournament in their historic first ever participation, were hoping to push for a first win in Group B after scoring their maiden group stage goal despite their 2-1 loss to Azam in the first leg played in Nairobi a week ago.
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Azam complete double over Nairobi United
However, Azam starboy Toto ensured they would need to work twice as hard if their target was to be met as he cooly slotted past Kevin Oduor in the Nairobi United goal after a defense-splitting pass from Yahya Zayd in the 12th minute.
That single moment of clinicality was what separated the two sides at the half time break despite Azam’s terriotorial dominance.
In the second half, the game fell into the same rythm as the first – Azam doing all the attacking while Naibois did all the defending while hoping for chances on the counter.
Just before the hour mark, Azam got two clear chances to double their lead but the scoreboard somehow remained with just a goal.
First, Toto beat his marker and was through on goal in the 54th minute but his attempt was too tame and Otieno handled comfortably.
Six minutes later, Pascal Msindo thought his strike was headed into the top corner but a stretched Otieno made a crucial save to tip the ball out for a corner much to the relief of his team who were handed a lifeline.
With everything on the line, Naibois went for the jugular as they made three substitutions in trying to chase the game.
Brian Omondi alongside Ugandan duo Titus Ssematimba and Charles Waibi came in the place of Roy Okal, Lesley Owino and Kevin Otiende in the 65th minute.
The substitutions appeared to have a small effect as Nairobi pushed up the field in search of an equalizer.
They posed even more of a danger on the counter but they could not just work a formula to create something meaningful to trouble Zuberi Foba in the Azam goal.
Try as they may in the dying minutes, nothing was forthcoming as Azam held for the 1-0 win that handed them a lifeline as they try to get out of the Group Stages.
The Florent Ibenge-coached side are third on 6 points, only three behind Maniema and Wydad who they face in the last two games respectively.