Caf Cup: Naibois Lost in Casablanca, Azam Switched off in Kinshasa

Former champions Morrocan side Wydad Athletic Club outclassed debutants Kenya’s Nairobi United with a dominant 3–0 victory in a CAF Confederation Cup group-stage encounter staged on Sunday,23 November at Laribi Zaouli Stadium in Morocco. Making their debut at this level, the Nairobi United made two changes to their starting line-up, with Prince Buregeya coming in for the suspended Yusuf Mainge who missed the match due to accumulated yellow cards while Shami Kibwana also earned a place in the first eleven. Wydad, one of Africa’s most seasoned sides, named a strong team featuring former Yanga midfielder Aziz Ki, South African forward Thembinkosi Lorch "Nyoso" and Moroccan veteran Nordin Amrabat. The Nairobians conceded inside three minutes when Ayoub Boucheta found the back of the net after being set up by the the "South African Player of the Season and Players' Player" of the Season in 2019 Thembinkosi Lorch "Nyoso". The hosts doubled the score just before the brak when Bouchouari redeemed himself with a superb strike in the 43rd minute ro make it it 2-0 at halftime. Nairobi United thought they had reduced the arrears when Kibwana set up Enock Machaka, who finished neatly, but the goal was ruled out for offside. The Morrocan top flight football league Botola last season’s top scorer Dutchman Mohamed Rayhi curled home a clever left-footed finish to seal the 3-0 victory. Wydad move top of Group B on goal difference ahead of Maniema Union, who earlier secured a home victory over Tanzanian club Azam FC. The defeat leaves Nairobi United bottom of Group B after Matchday One. They now shift focus to their next assignment, where they will host DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday as Azam FC will host group leaders Wydad AC of Morocco on Friday, November 28th, 2025. AS Maniema 2 Azam 0 Meanwhile, in another Group B fixture, AS Maniema Union under the tutelage of the DR Congo women's national team coach Papy Kimoto got off to a strong start in Group B of the CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC) with a 2-0 victory over Tanzania’s Azam FC at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa. Burkinabe playmaker Clement Pitroipa set up Christian Balako for a superb finish in the penalty area for the hosts oppening goal after capitalising on a defensive blunder to punish Azam FC coached by Congolese coach Florent Ibenge.. Chadoma Ozome headed home a cross from fellow substitute Sylva Tshitenge in the 85th minute to seal the fate of the third place finishers from the Tanzania Mainland Premier League.