Wydad AC hand Nairobi United a tough welcome in CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage opener

• Wydad AC hand Nairobi United a tough welcome in CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage opener.
• The match was played on Sunday, November 23, at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Morocco.
• Wydad Athletic Club claimed a 3-0 win in that first leg encounter.

Nairobi United were handed a baptism of fire in their first-ever CAF Confederation Cup group stage match after falling 3-0 to Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club in Casablanca on Sunday evening.

Making their debut at this level, the Nairobi United made two changes to their starting line-up, with Prince Buregeya coming in for the suspended Yusuf Mainge who missed the match due to accumulated yellow cards while Shami Kibwana also earned a place in the first eleven.

Wydad, one of Africa’s most seasoned sides, named a strong team featuring former Yanga midfielder Aziz Ki, South African forward Thembinkosi Lorch and Moroccan veteran Nordin Amrabat.

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Wydad AC hand Nairobi United a tough welcome in CAF Confederation Cup

From the onset, the North African powerhouse looked more comfortable and settled, dictating the pace of the game under the floodlights at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium.

Nairobi United got off to a nightmare start, conceding inside three minutes when Ayoub Boucheta found the back of the net after being set up by Lorch, who tormented the visitors throughout the game with his pace and movement down the left flank.

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Wydad pressed high and continued stretching United’s defence, and in the ninth minute, Aziz Ki released a diagonal ball to Lorch, forcing goalkeeper Kevin Oduor into a save.

Amrabat also had a moment of controversy in the 12th minute when he went down in the box after trying to turn away from Lenox Ogutu, but the referee waved play on.

Nairobi United struggled to build momentum, with Kevin Oduor almost gifting Wydad a second goal after a miscommunication with captain John Otieno, but the danger was eventually cleared.

Wydad’s pressure kept mounting, and they should have doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when Mohamed Bouchouari found himself unmarked in the area, but he dragged his shot wide.

Nairobi United’s first real chance came through a counterattack when Kibwana broke down the right, but his final effort under pressure from the chasing Wydad Athletic Club defenders flew off target.

The hosts finally made it 2-0 just before halftime when Bouchouari redeemed himself with a superb strike in the 43rd minute, sending Wydad into the break firmly in control.

The second half followed a similar script, with Wydad pinning Nairobi United back. In the 58th minute, Lesley Owino made a crucial last-ditch tackle to stop Hamza Hannouri after another dangerous move started by Lorch.

Nairobi United thought they had pulled one back when Kibwana set up Enock Machaka, who finished neatly, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Looking for a response, coach Salim Ali introduced Ovella Ochieng in place of Youngster Duncan Omala to add more threat, but Wydad remained dominant.

Their persistence paid off again in the 86th minute when Mohamed Rayhi curled home a clever left-footed finish to seal the 3-0 victory.

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Nairobi United’s misery was compounded late in the game when Brian Omondi was booked for simulation in the box, earning him a second yellow card and a sending-off.

The defeat leaves Nairobi United bottom of Group B after Matchday One. They now shift focus to their next assignment, where they will host DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday an opportunity to respond and keep their continental campaign alive.

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