Maniema Union: 5 Things Nairobi United Fans Must Know About 'Green and Black' Threat

Nairobi United will face their toughest challenge of the season this Sunday when they welcome DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union for a pivotal CAF Confederation Cup clash at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

The Kenyans currently sit 4th in Group B after a difficult opener against Wydad AC, while the visitors arrive in high spirits sitting 2nd, making the stakes at the stadium incredibly high.

The city prepares for this continental blockbuster, but many local fans might only know Maniema Union as the "third team" of the DRC after giants TP Mazembe and Vita Club. This squad is currently playing the best football in their history. 

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Pulse Sports takes  a deep dive into the five critical aspects of the opposition.

The most dangerous thing about this Maniema Union side right now is their newfound self-belief. In their opening Group B fixture, they did not  just beat Tanzania’s Azam FC; they secured their first-ever victory in a CAF interclub group stage match. 

Years of struggling to convert their domestic form into continental wins, often crashing out in preliminary rounds, are over. That psychological ceiling has now been shattered with a commanding 2–0 victory at the Martyrs of Pentecost Stadium.

This result against Azam FC was not a fluke but a masterclass in discipline and control as keeping a clean sheet against a seasoned Tanzanian outfit proved they have fixed the defensive frailties that plagued their previous campaigns in 2008, 2018, and 2019.

Maniema currently sits 2nd in the group, provisionally ahead of heavyweights like Azam, and they know that a result in Nairobi could virtually secure one foot in the quarter-finals. Momentum is on their side, while Nairobi United is fighting to survive.

Much of the credit for this transformation goes to their head coach, Papy Kimoto. Since taking charge, Kimoto has instilled a level of tactical rigour that was previously missing under former managers like Guy Lusadisu. 

Kimoto was visibly satisfied after the Azam game, praising his players for their "focus" and "management of the match." He is a coach who values structure over flair, making his team incredibly difficult to break down.

Kimoto has also been very public about his ambitious roadmap for the club. After failing to advance from the CAF Champions League group stage last season, he retooled the squad specifically for this Confederation Cup run. 

"That's our goal. We want to get out of the group and take the next step. My staff and I have been working on that for a long time," he told the press recently as per Foot RDC.

His tactics often involve absorbing pressure and striking with lethal efficiency, a style that contrasts sharply with the possession-heavy approach many Kenyan teams prefer.

 Nairobi United’s coaching staff will need to outwit a manager who has spent the last year preparing specifically for this moment. Kimoto’s ability to adapt his game plan mid-match means Nairobi United cannot afford to be one-dimensional on Sunday.

Founded in 2005, AS Maniema Union is a baby compared to the century-old institutions of African football, yet their trophy cabinet suggests otherwise. In just two decades of existence, they have lifted the prestigious Coupe du Congo three times—in 2007, 2017, and 2019. This is a staggering return for such a young club, earning them a reputation as "Cup Kings" in the DRC.

This specific pedigree makes them particularly dangerous in tournament football like the CAF Confederation Cup. League campaigns require consistency over months, but Cup competitions require the ability to handle high-pressure, one-off moments. 

Nairobi United must be wary of this experience gap. While the Nairobi side chases history, the visitors have a cultural memory of lifting trophies. The Verts et Noirs (Greens and Blacks) are not intimidated by away days or hostile crowds; their rapid rise from a provincial team in Kindu to a continental contender proves they possess a resilience that belies their young age.

The team is built on a solid structure, but the individual brilliance of key player Clément Pitroipa cannot be ignored. Pitroipa has emerged as the creative fulcrum of the side, capable of unlocking defenses that sit deep. In a match where Nairobi United will likely be pushing for a win, space will open up at the back, and Pitroipa is exactly the kind of player who punishes such gaps.

Pitroipa is just the tip of the spear, however. The team’s recent 2–0 win over Azam showcased a diversity in attack that makes them hard to mark. They do not rely on a single route to goal; they can hurt you from set-pieces, counter-attacks, or sustained possession. The fact that they scored two goals against a defensively sound Azam side serves as a warning to Nairobi United’s back four, who conceded two goals against Wydad AC.

The physical battle will also be immense. Congolese teams are renowned for their athleticism and power, and Maniema Union is no different. They play with an intensity that can wear opponents down by the 70th minute. Nairobi United will need to match Pitroipa’s technical skill with their own grit, ensuring they don't get overrun in the midfield transitions where Maniema loves to operate.

Since 1960, the narrative of football in the DR Congo has been a duopoly between TP Mazembe and AS Vita Club. AS Maniema Union has shattered that script, establishing themselves as the undisputed "Third Force" of the Linafoot. Currently sitting 3rd in their domestic league, they are constantly competing against the very best in Africa, hardening them for continental excursions.

This "Third Force" status gives them a chip on their shoulder. They feel they deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the continental giants, and this Confederation Cup campaign is their vehicle to prove it. They are not here to make up the numbers; they are here to displace established hierarchies. Their appearance in the 2024–25 Champions League group stage was a statement; their current run is the confirmation.

Nairobi United, currently ranked 4th in the group, faces a collision with a team on an upward trajectory. Maniema Union views Nairobi United as a stepping stone to the Quarterfinals. They are coming to Nairobi not just to avoid defeat, but to assert their dominance as one of Central Africa's premier clubs. Nairobi United will need to play the game of their lives to halt the rise of the Unionists.