'Wydad a blueprint for growth', says 'Naibois' coach Ali ahead of CAF faceoff

As Nairobi United prepare to host three-time CAF Champions League winners Wydad Athletic Club in their final home match of the 2025–26 CAF Confederation Cup group stage at the Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, head coach Salim Ali has framed the Moroccan giants not just as opponents, but as a benchmark for growth and long-term ambition.

With the Kenyan side rooted at the bottom of Group B -having picked up no points from four matches, including a 3–0 defeat away in Casablanca - the focus has shifted from qualification hopes to development, learning, and regional progress.

Speaking during Saturday’s pre-match press conference, Coach Ali outlined a clear vision: using Wydad’s sustained continental excellence as a reference point to elevate Nairobi United, Kenyan football, and East African club football as a whole.

Wydad Athletic Club are among Africa’s most decorated sides, boasting three CAF Champions League titles (1992, 2017, 2022), a CAF Super Cup, an African Cup Winners’ Cup, and numerous continental honours. Domestically, they have claimed a record 22 Moroccan Botola titles and nine Throne Cups. Their success has been built on tactical discipline, elite youth development, and consistency at the highest level.

Ali pointed directly to this pedigree as a source of motivation.

“There is a standard that Wydad has put in Africa. For us, it’s a benchmark for Nairobi United. If we can emulate even some percentage of what Wydad has done, I think it’s growth for Kenya and for East Africa.”

The statement reflects a strategic mindset -one that views the fixture as more than a 90-minute contest. For Nairobi United, competing against a continental powerhouse offers a chance to absorb lessons in professionalism, structure, and competitiveness during their maiden group-stage campaign.

Ali reiterated the learning-first approach that has defined the club’s Confederation Cup journey.

“Each and every match is a learning process. There are takeaways we’ve had from this group stage and it’s really pushed the team forward. For tomorrow’s match against Wydad, we want to have an honourable ending at home.”

The emphasis on an “honourable ending” reflects realism about the task ahead, while prioritizing pride, organization, and performance.

Midfielder Brian Magare echoed his coach’s sentiments, highlighting thorough preparation and the excitement of facing elite opposition.

“We’ve had incredible training and good preparation from the coaches. We feel ready. We’re playing a good side—players we’ve been watching abroad. We’re excited to face them. It’s a challenging match, but we’ll give our best and hopefully get the result we want.”

Magare’s remarks underline a squad driven by aspiration rather than intimidation, aligning with Ali’s vision of using elite competition as a catalyst for growth.

By openly aspiring to “emulate some percentage” of Wydad’s success, Ali projects ambition beyond a single match. His outlook signals a broader goal for Nairobi United—and potentially other Kenyan and East African clubs—to invest in structure, scouting, and professionalism, the foundations that have sustained Wydad’s dominance for decades.

Despite entering the clash as heavy underdogs -Wydad top Group B on nine points while Nairobi United have struggled defensively -the encounter at Kasarani presents an opportunity for tangible progress. A disciplined, spirited display could validate Ali’s long-term vision and provide meaningful lessons for future continental campaigns.