- Former Sevilla and Monaco striker Wissam Ben Yedder scored the winner in the Nairobi United vs Wydad clash.
- The win saw Wydad move to 12 points in Group B as they booked a quarterfinal ticket.
- Nairobi United stayed bottom with 0 points from 5 games while Azam and AS Maniema Union are on 9 points.
Former Sevilla striker Wissam Ben Yedder proved decisive late on as Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club edged Nairobi United 0-1 to secure qualification for the 25/26 CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals with a game to spare.
Ben Yedder’s 89th-minute finish broke Nairobi United hearts in a tightly contested group stage encounter that had looked destined for a goalless draw.
Nairobi United started the match with confidence and nearly took a shock early lead in the 11th minute when Shami Kibwana found space inside the box, but his effort lacked the finishing touch.
Nairobi United vs Wydad match report
Wydad responded quickly through their captain Nordin Amrabat, who skipped past Steve Biko in the 15th minute before forcing a smart save from goalkeeper Kevin Oduor, who was alert throughout the first half.
Amrabat was lively from the onset and continued to cause problems down the flank. One of his dangerous deliveries flashed across the face of goal with no Wydad player arriving to tap home.
Nairobi United, however, remained a threat on the break. In the 19th minute, Lesley Otieno’s long-range strike was punched away by El Mehdi Benabid, with Dancan Omala’s rebound crashing off the woodwork in what was the home side’s clearest chance of the half.
Hakim Ziyech attempted to unlock the Nairobi defence in the 25th minute with a defence-splitting through ball aimed at Amrabat, but the former AS Monaco winger could not reach it.
Nairobi again went close when Brian Omondi released Kibwana, who flicked the ball into space for Gideon Omondi, only for the goalkeeper to react quickly and smother the danger.
Just before halftime, Mohammed Bouchauri’s through ball picked out Amrabat, but Biko recovered well with a crucial sliding tackle. Amrabat had the final say of the half, firing a snapshot in added time that was deflected out for a corner by Lennox Ogutu, sending the teams into the break level at 0–0.
Wydad returned for the second half with more urgency, pushing numbers forward as Nairobi United dropped deeper. Ayoub Boucheta tried his luck from range shortly after the restart, but his effort drifted wide.
Nairobi head coach Salim Ali reacted by introducing Titus Ssematimba for Kibwana, seeking more control in midfield.
Captain Omondi was booked in the 60th minute for a foul on Amrabat, with Ziyech’s resulting free kick striking the wall.
Moments later, Wydad coach Mohammed Amine made a bold triple substitution, bringing on Ben Yedder, Walid Nassi and Lamirat Abdel to inject fresh attacking impetus.
Nairobi United had chances to take the lead as Ssematimba failed to capitalize twice on defensive errors, while Benson Omala narrowly missed a floated cross with a sliding effort. Despite the missed opportunities, Wydad continued to apply pressure, and the breakthrough finally arrived in the 89th minute.
Substitute Walid Nassi produced a moment of brilliance, beating his marker Mustapha Kizza before squaring the ball to Ben Yedder, who cleverly flicked it past Kevin Oduor with the outside of his boot to make it 1–0.
The situation worsened for Nairobi United when Biko was shown a straight red card for a foul on Nassi moments later.
Wydad held on to seal the win, moving to 12 points and confirming their place in the quarterfinals as Nairobi United remain winless in 5 consecutive matches in CAF Confederations Cup Group Stage with one game to spare which will be played on 15 February in DR Congo against As Maniema Union.
Nairobi United vs Wydad AC lineups
Nairobi United XI:: Kevin Oduor (GK), Yusuf Mainge, Steve Biko, Lennox Ogutu, Mustapha Kizza, Lesley Otieno, Brian Mzee (C), Shami Kibwana, Dancan Omala, Benson Omala, Gideon Omondi
Wydad Athletic Club XI: El Mehdi Benabid, Amine Aboulfath, Nouredine Amrabat (C), Hamza Hanouri, Ayoub Boucheta, Hakim Ziyech, Vaca Ponce, Byram Naim, Mohammed Bouchauri, Moussadaq Sallah, Moises Paniagua