Heartbreak at Nyayo: Naibois Stunned as Late Own Goal Gifts Azam FC Victory
The “Naibois” faithful turned out in numbers at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday, bringing the noise and the belief that Nairobi United’s first CAF Confederation Cup points were finally within reach. Instead, the evening ended in hushed disbelief as a cruel twist of fate handed Tanzanian giants Azam FC a 2-1 victory, leaving the hosts empty-handed despite a valiant performance on home soil.
Nairobi United, feeding off the electric energy of the home crowd, started with the kind of aggression and intent that suggested this would be their turning point in Group B. They didn’t have to wait long for a breakthrough. In the 13th minute, the stadium erupted when Dancan Omala produced a moment of magic. Latching onto a perfectly weighted pass from Michael Karamor during a lightning-quick transition, Omala unleashed a venomous strike from outside the box that left the Azam goalkeeper clutching at thin air. It was a goal worthy of winning any match, and for a few glorious minutes, Nairobi dared to dream.
But the seasoned Tanzanian outfit showed why they are continental regulars. Just four minutes after going behind, Azam dampened the party atmosphere. A momentary lapse in concentration allowed Jephté Kitambala to find space in the box, and he finished calmly to level the scores at 1-1, silencing the vuvuzelas and bringing the tension back to the stands.
The match then settled into a tactical arm-wrestle. United, urged on by the home support, looked dangerous on the break but were met with a disciplined Azam defense. At the other end, goalkeeper Ernest Mohammed kept the hosts in the game, pulling off several key saves to deny Azam’s forwards and keeping the score level heading into the final stages.
However, the football gods can be unforgiving. In the 78th minute, disaster struck in the most unfortunate manner possible. Azam’s Himid Mao fired a speculative effort that rattled the post a reprieve, it seemed until the rebound ricocheted agonizingly off the back of a diving Ernest Mohammed and rolled into the net. It was a freak own goal that sucked the air out of Nyayo Stadium.
Despite the shock, Nairobi United refused to crumble. The final ten minutes saw a siege on the Azam goal, with the hosts winning a flurry of corners and free-kicks. The “Naibois” threw everything forward, but the Tanzanian defense stood firm, managing the clock and the game to secure all three points.
For Nairobi United, this loss stings more than the others. To lead at home against a powerhouse like Azam, only to lose to a deflection, is a bitter pill to swallow. Yet, the performance at Nyayo proved that United can compete toe-to-toe with the region’s best. The result is a harsh lesson in the fine margins of continental football, but the spirit shown in Nairobi suggests that the first win isn’t far away.
