Why Nairobi United's Ali is unfazed despite rocky run in CAF Confederations Cup

Nairobi United’s technical director cum coach Salim Ali is undeterred by the team's poor run in CAF Confederations Cup even after their loss to Tanzania’s giants Azam FC.

Azam rallied from behind to stun the 'Naibois' 2-1 at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, denting their chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages.

Teenage sensation Duncan Omala had fired the hosts in front with a sublime finish in the 13th minute before Jephté Kitambala responded for the visitors four minutes later to make it 1-1 heading into the break.

Azam came with a different gear in the second half, finding the winner in the 78th minute after Nairobi United’s goalkeeper Eugene Mohammed turned the ball into his own net from Mao Mkami’s shot.

Ali says they have picked valuable lessons and gained experience from the competition despite the painful home defeat.

“We are gaining experience from this competition because we have never played on the continental stage before. We surprised many last season by qualifying for the confederations cup and I know there were huge expectations from the fans,” Ali said, in an interview with Citizen TV’s Sporty Monday programme.

“We haven’t done well but we have done our best so far and picked valuable lessons,” he added.

The loss against Azam means Nairobi United are without a point in Group ‘B’ after losing their previous matches. Their first loss came against Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca where they were edged 3-0 before falling at home 1-0 to Maniema from Congo.

Ali says they had assembled a team to compete at the top level after qualifying for the group stages, but the plan is yet to take off.

“After beating NEC and ES Sahel in the qualifying matches, we added experienced and foreign players into the team. We wanted them to help the young players grow while helping us achieve the results we wanted. I believe we are going to get to the level we wanted soon,” said Ali.

At the same time the experienced tactician is confident they have what it takes to defend the FKF Cup and fight for the league title after further bolstering the squad this month.

“I believe the new signings we made this month will boost us in our quest to compete at the highest level.”

Nairobi United have already signed Steve Biko from Posta Rangers, Uganda’s attacking midfielder Titus Ssematimba and former Gor Mahia attacker Benson Omala.

The Nairobi-based club will have to win all their return leg fixtures and pray that rivals Maniema and Azam drop points for them to qualify to the quarterfinals.

Captain John Otieno believes they have the ability to pick points from the remaining matches.

“We gave ourselves a challenge and qualified for the group stages. I believe we shall come out with something. We take a game at a time and I know we will still surprise many by the end of the season,” said Otieno.

Naibois will begin their journey of redemption in their return leg against Azam on Sunday at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Tanzania.

They are currently bottom of Group ‘B’ without a point. Wydad Casablanca leads with nine points after remaining unbeaten with Maniema and Azam coming second and third respectively on six and three points apiece.