Nairobi United vs Wydad AC 0:1, 2026-02-08, CAF Confederation Cup – Match Report, Result and Key Highlights

Wydad AC edge Nairobi United to reach CAF Confederation Cup knockouts

Wydad AC ground out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nairobi United in Match Round 5 of the CAF Confederation Cup, a result that strengthens the Moroccan side’s position in the race for qualification and leaves the Kenyan debutants facing an uphill task in their bid to progress.

Hakim Ziyech, the standout attacking threat all evening, delivered the decisive moment with a clinical second-half finish, capping a dominant but often wasteful display from Wydad at a packed Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

—

### Ziyech delivers as Wydad make dominance count

In a match where Wydad AC controlled long spells of possession and territory, it took until the second period for their pressure to tell. The Moroccan giants, roared on by a noisy travelling support, eventually found a way through Nairobi United’s resolute back line as Ziyech struck what proved to be the only goal.

Nairobi United, who had shown admirable defensive discipline and work rate, were increasingly forced deeper as the game wore on. The hosts struggled to retain the ball against Wydad’s organised press and precise passing, and the solitary strike was enough to condemn them to a narrow home defeat.

—

### Wydad dominate possession and shooting stats

The pattern of the match was clear from early on. Wydad AC enjoyed 61% of the ball compared with Nairobi United’s 39%, dictating tempo and forcing the home side to play largely on the counter.

That control translated into a flood of attempts:

– **Wydad AC**: 25 shots, with 5 on target
– **Nairobi United**: 5 shots, with 2 on target

Ziyech was at the heart of Wydad’s attacking threat, leading the team in shots on goal and regularly testing Nairobi United’s goalkeeper from range and set-pieces. His direct running and willingness to shoot ensured the Kenyan side were pinned back for much of the contest.

For Nairobi United, **M. S. Kibwana** was the most active shooter, trying repeatedly to spark something in the final third. However, Wydad’s defensive organisation and pressing from the front limited him mostly to efforts from distance or under pressure.

—

### Midfield control and passing precision

The midfield battle largely went Wydad’s way, with their superior passing accuracy helping them recycle possession and build sustained attacks.

Key figures in distribution included:

– **Amine Aboulfath (Wydad AC)** – 91% pass accuracy from 57 total passes
– **Steve Biko (Nairobi United)** – 88% pass accuracy from 27 total passes

Aboulfath’s composure on the ball and range of passing were central to Wydad’s ability to shift play and stretch Nairobi United’s lines. He repeatedly helped reset attacks, keeping his side on the front foot.

Biko, for Nairobi United, kept things tidy in the middle and tried to use his accuracy to launch counters, but he often found himself outnumbered as Wydad packed the central areas.

In terms of creativity:

– **Ramiro Vaca Ponce (Wydad AC)** produced **4 key passes**, threading balls into dangerous spaces and linking intelligently with Ziyech and the forwards.
– **Lesley Owino (Nairobi United)** contributed **2 key passes**, making the most of limited attacking possession to feed runners ahead of him.

Those numbers underlined Wydad’s greater fluency in and around the final third, with Vaca Ponce in particular providing the guile that repeatedly opened up half-chances.

—

### Defensive discipline and key interventions

Despite Wydad’s territorial dominance, Nairobi United’s defensive structure kept them in contention right to the end. The home side blocked and intercepted consistently, forcing Wydad to work for every opening.

**Interceptions**

– **Nairobi United – 7 interceptions**
– Leader: **Brian Omondi – 3** interceptions
– **Wydad AC – 8 interceptions**
– Leader: **Mohamed Bouchouari – 2** interceptions

Omondi’s reading of the game was vital as he stepped in to cut out through-balls and passes into the channels. For Wydad, Bouchouari’s anticipation in advanced areas helped sustain pressure and prevent Nairobi United from breaking out.

**Blocks**

– **Nairobi United – 9 blocks**
– Leader: **Lennox Ogutu – 3** blocks
– **Wydad AC – 1 block**
– **Sallah Moussaddaq Kerboub – 1** block

Ogutu’s contribution summed up Nairobi United’s defensive display. Time and again he threw himself in the way of shots, most notably from Ziyech and Vaca Ponce, as Wydad peppered the home goal. Those nine blocks illustrate just how much defending the Kenyan side were forced to do.

By contrast, Wydad’s single registered block – from Kerboub – reflected where the game was played: largely in Nairobi United’s half, with the Moroccan back line rarely under extended siege.

—

### Physical duels and battle for the ball

Although Wydad were superior in terms of possession and chances, the physical contest was far more evenly matched.

The leading players in face-to-face duels for the ball were:

– **Benson Omala Ochieng (Nairobi United)** – 6 duels
– **N. Amrabat (Wydad AC)** – 6 duels

Omala Ochieng battled tirelessly up front, often isolated but constantly engaging Wydad’s centre-backs, chasing long balls and trying to hold up play to bring team-mates into the game.

Amrabat, meanwhile, imposed himself in midfield and wide areas, using his strength and experience to win challenges, slow Nairobi United’s breaks and give Wydad a physical edge in tight spaces. Their duel numbers highlighted the intensity of individual battles within an otherwise tactically controlled contest.

—

### Nairobi United’s brave resistance, Wydad’s experience shows

For long stretches, Nairobi United’s approach was based on compact defending and quick transitions. With Wydad pushing high, the hosts looked to exploit space behind, particularly through Kibwana and Omala Ochieng. However, the final ball was often lacking, as the visitors’ structure forced errors in decision-making.

Wydad, by contrast, demonstrated their know-how at this level: recycling possession when attacks broke down, pressing in numbers after losing the ball, and managing the game after taking the lead. Their 61% possession and 25 shots told the story of a side in control, even if the scoreline remained tight.

Nairobi United’s goalkeeper and back line emerged with credit despite the defeat, given the volume of efforts they had to repel and the number of blocks and interceptions made under pressure.

—

### What the result means for the CAF Confederation Cup group

The 1-0 away win places Wydad AC in a commanding position heading into Match Round 6 of the CAF Confederation Cup group stage, with qualification firmly within reach and momentum on their side.

For Nairobi United, the defeat leaves them with work to do and little margin for error if they are to keep their continental campaign alive. Their performance – defensively disciplined but limited in attack – showed they can compete in spells with North African heavyweights, but also underlined the fine margins at this level.

As the group phase moves towards its climax, Wydad’s blend of technical quality, tactical control and defensive organisation appears well-suited to knockout football. Nairobi United, meanwhile, will hope to build on the resilience they showed here and find greater attacking punch in their remaining fixtures.

• Nairobi United will play with Maniema Union. February 15 at 13:00 (GMT), on None.
• Wydad AC will play with Azam. February 15 at 14:00 (GMT), on Stade Larbi Zaouli.

Nairobi United

• Kevin Oduor (7.3)
• Yusuf Mainge (6.5)
• Lennox Ogutu (6.6)
• Steve Biko (6.9)
• Mustafa Kizza (6.2)
• Lesley Owino (7)
• Brian Omondi (6.3)
• Dancan Omala (6.7)
• Benson Omala Ochieng (6.9)
• M. S. Kibwana (6.5)

Wydad AC

Substitutions:

Nairobi United

• M. S. Kibwana (Tito, 54)
• B. Ochieng (H. Muhadjiri, 76)
• Tito (E. Machaka, 76)
• Dancan Omala (C. Waibi, 76)

Wydad AC

• Naïm Byar (A. Lamirat, 65)
• Hakim Ziyech (Wissam Ben Yedder, 65)
• Moisés Paniagua Leaño (W. Nassi, 66)
• Ramiro Vaca Ponce (W. Sabbar, 73)
• N. Amrabat (H. Elowasti, 83)

Ball possession:

Passes:

Defense:

Face-to-face:

Fouls:

Yellow cards:

• Brian Omondi (Nairobi United) at 59 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• Nairobi United – L
• Wydad AC – W

Top 5 CAF Confederation Cup scorers:

1. Mohamed El Sayed Hashem (2, AL Masry)
2. Pomi Nzaou (2, )
3. Seifeddine Jaziri (2, Zamalek SC)
4. Salah Mohsen Mohamed Shalabi (1, AL Masry)
5. Chadoma Mukeni (1, Maniema Union)

Line-ups:

Next games:

• Nairobi United will play with Maniema Union. February 15 at 13:00 (GMT), on None.
• Wydad AC will play with Azam. February 15 at 14:00 (GMT), on Stade Larbi Zaouli.