United, who are making a debut in the competition, slipped to a second straight defeat as DR Congo’s AS Maniema edged a tight contest 1-0 at Kasarani Stadium to stay level at the top of Group B.
Despite dominating the first half, substitute Jaency Mboma Kinda scored what turned out to be the winner in the 66th minute. Mboma stole across at the near post to turn home a low cross from Chadoma Ozome.
Before the breakthrough, chances were scarce. Maniema’s control improved after half-time following a double change in the 46th minute that introduced Obed Mbala and Sylva Tshitenge to inject more purpose in midfield and down the right.
Nairobi responded with a triple substitution in the 69th minute, but the Congolese side managed the closing stages expertly. Nairobi’s best spell came late on, yet Kevin Otiende’s booking in the 71st minute summed up their frustration as the visitors slowed the tempo and protected their advantage.
‘We gave our opponents an opportunity’
Speaking after the game, the former Mathare United coach rued United’s missed chances especially the first half, and further promised an improved show when they face Azam FC of Tanzania in their matchday three in Nairobi.
“It is very bad to lose this way, especially in front of our fans in a game we dominated in the first half, we lacked concentration, and most important thing in such competition, you don’t need to win three or four goals, only one goal can make a change,” Ali said after the game.
“We gave our opponents an opportunity and now they have six points, they are now ahead of us, but we have four games to go. The first game away we lost, I am not really worried (with our position), because we created as many chances as possible.
“When you compare the away match against Wydad, and this one against Maniema, we had a flair, maybe sometimes when you play away, there is no that pressure, but when you come and play at home there is that pressure to perform, so I can take that for the team.”
Discussing the missed opportunities, Ali said: “We told the players to try and convert the chances, but the second half was a bit difficult, because Maniema, they have experience in this level, they did manage the game, they were wasting time, but tactically they did very well.
“We didn’t get chances in the second half like the first half, and sometimes when you get chances in the first half, you have to score. When it came to second half, because you are rushing, you definitely lose concentration and that is what we did, and we gave them an opportunity to score.”
Ali continued: “We have now lost back to back, but when you look at the team, it is very young in this competition, so whatever they have done, they have achieved a lot, the most important thing they are playing Azam here in Nairobi on 25th, and I think it will be a different ball game.
“For us, we want to get that win, if we get the Azam win, and then maybe if we go away we can get another better result.
The defeat left United rooted at the bottom of Group B with zero points, while their next rivals are a place above them without a point. Wydad AC are leading the pile with six points, the same number as second-placed AS Maniema.
