CAFCC: Nairobi United stays confident ahead of Azam FC test

Kenyan Premier League outfit Nairobi United coach Salim Ali is not giving up on the team’s quest to reach the knockout stages of the CAF Confederation for the first time in their history.

The Nairobi-based outfit, who are making their debut campaign in Kenyan’s top-flight (FKF Premier League), are facing a tall order to make it out of the group stage after losing their opening three matches.

 

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United’s journey has been rough losing their Group B opener 3-0 against Wydad AC, before suffering a 1-0 home defeat against DR Congo outfit AS Maniema Union. Their third game was against Azam FC of Tanzania, and they lost 2-1.

‘You never know what will happen’

Despite the lackluster performance, Ali is confident United still have a chance to make it to the Round of 16 if they manage to win their remaining three matches.

“Football is crazy, sometimes, it is only one team that has nine points, and the others, Maniema has six and Azam three, so if we get our first win, then at home against Wydad which is possible we can win, then you never know what will happen,” Ali told Pan-Africa Football.

“It is an away match and we will not take it lightly. We lost here against them, so we have some revenge of sort in Tanzania when we face off.”

On the performance of youngster Duncan Omalla, who scored the only goal against Azam, he said: “I think for his age, it surpasses everything because the way he is growing is good for the team, and for his career.

“Leave alone the goal that he scored against Azam, there are beautiful goals he has scored already in the league, against Shabana when we played away, he scored a wonder goal. So, I believe if we get a player, who scores locally and internationally, it means there is something good coming up in the team.”

On the fitness of the squad heading into the reverse fixture, the former Mathare United coach said: “Ovella (Ochieng) the last match he never finished, but we are still monitoring him, maybe a day or so, we will know if he will be available.”

After playing Azam, United’s next assignment will be against AS Maniema.