While United went into the matchday two seeking to make amends following their opening 3-0 defeat against Wydad AC of Morocco away, Maniema came looking for a second straight victory in Group B.
The Congolese outfit started their campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win against Tanzanian side Azam FC. Maniema looked the better side from the onset as they earned the first corner with only three minutes played.
Burkina Faso midfielder Clément Pitroipa delivered the resultant corner but it was cleared to safety by United goalkeeper Kevin Oduor. Five minutes later, United responded with their first attack of the game.
A well-laid pass from Enock Machaka found striker Duncan Omalla in a good position, but before he could pull the trigger, the linesman’s flag went up, ruling Omalla for offside. In the 21st minute, a golden opportunity presented itself for Maniema, but a looping ball from striker Christian Balako Panzi went over the bar.
United came close to breaking the deadlock six minutes later when Omala sprinted up before dribbling past two Maniema defenders. However, the young striker unleashed a shot which missed the target and was not able to trouble Ogundare Detan.
United earned the right to represent Kenya in continental football after winning the 2025 FKF Cup, a victory that capped a sensational domestic campaign in which they achieved promotion to the FKF Premier League.
At the start of the second period, United looked the better side and almost took the lead in the 54th minute, when Machaka delivered a precise cross from the right but the connection was a bit off as forward Michael Karamor came close to reaching it.
Maniema took the lead in the 66th minute when substitute James Mboma curled in an effort from outside the area into the top right side of the net to silence United fans, who had parked the venue to cheer on the debutants.
Wydad make it two wins out of two
Meanwhile, in another matchday two played on Friday, Wydad made it two wins from two after registering a 1-0 away victory against Azam in Zanzibar, a result that kept the Moroccan giants top of the pile.
After a 0-0 outcome in the first half, Nordin Amrabat settled the tight contest in the 56th minute, after guiding home what turned out to be the winner. The first half produced few clear chances as both sides cancelled each other out.
Azam, determined to respond after defeat on matchday one, pressed eagerly and looked to work the flanks, but Wydad’s back line held shape and protected goalkeeper Yassine Bounou’s understudy efficiently, limiting the Tanzanian hosts to efforts from distance.
The win moved Wydad to a perfect six points from two matches and underlined their status as early group favourites.
In Group C, Congolese club AS Otoho d’Oyo stunned CR Belouizdad 4-1 at home. A first-half blitz from Jacques Bowamba, Bandiougou Diallo and Gosim Duvan set the home side on a commanding lead before Dion Ravelli added a fourth in the 65th minute.
USM Alger picked up their second win in Group A after edging to a 1–0 win over Olympic Club de Safi away. Midfielder Zakaria Draoui took advantage of a defensive mistake to stab home and deliver a significant boost to the Algerian side as they strengthened their position at the summit.
On Friday, Egyptian outfit Al Masry also made it two wins out of two following a 3-2 victory away to ZESCO United. The Egyptians struck inside four minutes when Mohamed Hashem finished a superb cross for a perfect start.
