Why Ali, Nairobi United, has Not Been Phased by the Difficult CAF Confederation Cup Drive

Nairobi United technical director and head coach Salim Ali has been stoic and optimistic in the face of his team recording a dismal performance in the CAF Confederation Cup because according to him, the experience he has received is more than the current poor performance being registered.

The Nabobs recently continued to lose by beating Tanzanian giants Azam FC 2-1 at Nyayo National Stadium, which further diminished their chances of making it to the knockout stages.

Nairobi United did not have any chance to win in Group B, though it had a decent start, as it failed to withstand the second-half comeback of Azam. During the 13th minute, Duncan Omala, a teenage forward of the hosts, provided an early lead to the hosts with a composed and clinical finish, indicating his rising reputation.

But Azam counterattacked very fast, and Jephte Kitambala equalized in only four minutes to make both teams go into the half-time deadlocked at 1-1.

The visitors came back in the second half with new vigor and finally discovered the decisive goal in the 78th minute.

A low Mao Mkami strike led to confusion in the Nairobi United penalty area where goalkeeper Eugene Mohammed was to make an unfortunate own goal that made it the win for Azam.

Although the loss was hurtful, Ali is of the opinion that the tournament has provided a priceless platform of learning to a team that plays continental football for the first time.

It is our first assignment on the continental platform, and we are learning a lot through that, Ali said in an interview conducted on Citizen TV on Sporty Monday. We are the team that shocked a lot of people last season by getting into the Confederation Cup, and as you know, it increased expectations.

The lessons that we are learning are very vital to our development, though the outcome has not been in our favor.

The Nairobi United has not been fair in the group stage as they have lost all three games. They started losing a 3-0 in an away match with Morocco Dad Casablanca, and a 1-0 loss at home to Congo Maniema Union before their loss on Sunday against Azam.

Ali disclosed that the club took calculated moves to reinforce the team once it was in group stages, introducing experienced and foreign players to help the club in its team core, which comprised young players.

We had to introduce some experience to compete at this level after we beat NEC and ES Sahel in the qualifiers, as Ali put it. Its concept was that the senior players would mentor the younger ones as they worked towards ensuring that we had improved performances.

The plan is yet to be completely launched, but I believe we will arrive there. Ali is optimistic about the prospects of Nairobi United in the domestic scene despite the frustrations that have been witnessed on the continent.

He is optimistic that the recruits will go a long way in empowering the team as they look to hold the FKF Cup and snatch the league title.

The club already strengthened its team, signing up Steve Biko of Posta Rangers, a Ugandan attacking midfielder, Titus Ssematimba, and former For Maria forward, Benson Omala.

To ensure that they do not lose their continental dream, Nairobi United needs to win all of their remaining return-leg matches and hope that Manila and Azam lose points. Team captain John Otieno is optimistic that the team can get up to the task.

Otieno said that we had set a target to make it to the group stages, and we did. We are just going game-by-game, and I think that we will still amaze many people at the season final.

In their struggle to win back redemption, Nairobi United will begin this Sunday as they play Azam FC in the second leg against the Tanzanian clubs in Yo.

At the bottom of Group B, with no points, trail leaders of the Naibois, Dad Casablanca are followed by Manila and Azam with nine and six points respectively.