Despite taking an early lead courtesy of Duncan Omalla, Azam recovered to register their first win in the group stage after scoring in either half to secure a 2-1 win and silence United fans, who had turned up in numbers to cheer them on.
United went into the game having lost their opening two group fixtures. The promoted Kenyan side had lost their opener 3-0 against Wydad AC away in Morocco before returning home to suffer a 1-0 defeat against AS Maniema Union of DR Congo.
For Azam, they were seeking their first win in the stage, having lost the first two matches. They kicked off their Group B campaign with a 2-0 defeat against AS Maniema before losing their Matchday 2 game 1-0 against Wydad.
Having signed for United three days before the fixture, former Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla, and top scorer in the 2023/24 Kenyan Premier League with 19 goals, got a place on the bench as his young brother Duncan led the striking area.
Derby kicked off on slow pace
The East African derby kicked off on a slow pace with both sides trying to play cautiously from the middle of play, avoiding moving forward. However, it was Azam under veteran coach Florent Ibenge, who threatened first.
A looping ball from midfielder Iddy Nado found the unmarked Feisal ‘Toto’ Salum, but he sent his effort wide despite having enough time to hit the target. The missed opportunity awoke United, who moved forward in numbers searching for the opener.
The Nairobi-based side were rewarded in the 13th minute when they took the lead. Omalla found space within Azam’s danger zone, and he hit a superb effort into the top right corner past the advancing hands of Zuberi Foba Masudi.
However, four minutes later, the Ice Cream Makers from Tanzania levelled the scores. A move initiated by ‘Toto’ found Jephte Kitambala, and the DR Congo forward took advantage of a huge blunder by custodian Ernest Mohammed to slot into an empty net.
Azam continued to knock on the door of United and almost made it 2-1 when Nado sliced a through ball to midfielder Himid Mao, but experienced defender Yusuf Mainge came to United’s rescue after he timed his effort to send it out.
The visiting side continued to dominate proceedings and missed another great opportunity in the 34th minute when Cheickna Diakite’s effort was cleared off the line by defender Lennox Ogutu with keeper Mohammed already beaten.
In the closing stages of the opening half, United were forced into an early change after injured Ovella Ochieng was withdrawn for Charles Waibi. The new introduction was shown a yellow card even before he could kick the ball for unallowed field entry as the teams went into the break.
On resumption, both teams made tactical changes, United bringing in new signing Omalla for Michael Karamor, while Azam rested Diakite for Zidane Sereri. The contest remained a physical battle as both sides continued to search for the winner.
The game remained a balanced affair until the 78th minute when Azam doubled their lead. A cross from substitute Nuru Twalib, who had come on to replace Mamadou Diaby, rebounded off the post before hitting keeper Mohammed for an own goal.
United’s next assignment will see them take on Wydad at home, while Azam will host Maniema Union, both matches on February 8th.
Simba remain winless in Group D
In other Confederation Cup matches, Simba SC of Tanzania remained winless from three outings after they suffered a 1-0 away defeat against Esperance Sportive de Tunis at the Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Rades.
The only goal of the Group D fixture was scored by Jacques Diarra in the 21st minute. It was enough to secure three precious points for the “Blood and Gold,” who now lead the pile with five points.
USM Alger registered a convincing 2-0 victory over Djoliba to strengthen their position in the competition. Zakaria Draoui scored the opener for USM before Ahmed Khaldi sealed the win in the 80th minute.
In the CAF Champions League, RS Berkane and Pyramids FC played out a tense 0-0 draw in a closely contested encounter, with both sides creating chances but failing to find a decisive breakthrough.
In Ndola, Zambia, at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Power Dynamos and Rivers United of Nigeria claimed their first points of the group stage after playing out a 0-0 draw, a result that kept both sides rooted to the bottom of Group A.
