Having already bid farewell to the competition, United’s aim was to sign off with at least a win. However, they were stunned even before they could settle into the contest.
Maniema took an early lead
The home side took advantage of a defensive mistake to score the opener with only five minutes played. A sweeping cross from the right wing delivered by Obed Mbala evaded United defenders before Beni Namboka latched onto the loose ball to stab it past Kevin Oduor, for his second of the campaign, and give Maniema a deserved lead.
United responded with their first chance of the game when Shami Kibwana cut through the midfield before watching helplessly as his long-range effort went inches wide.
In the 18th minute, Maniema almost doubled their lead from a counter-attacking move initiated by Jeancy Mpindi, who had robbed the ball from Lesley Owino. However, Mpindi’s target Clement Pitroipa hit his effort straight into the hands of Oduor despite being in a position to score.
Maniema finally went 2-0 up in the 29th minute after capitalising on another United mistake. After his missed opportunity from yards out, Pitroipa made amends by setting up Namboka, who made no mistake, for his second of the day.
The goal unsettled United, who had started to grow confidence into the away game. However, their plans to trigger a comeback were quickly dashed after Maniema added the third in the 44th minute courtesy of Jeancy Mboma, who finished off a cross from Abedi Bokomboli.
At the start of the second half, United coach Salim Ali rested keeper Oduor, replacing him with Bernard Jairo. Despite the substitution, Maniema continued to remain a threat up front with Pitroipa wasting another great chance after being teed up by Bokomboli.
Oduor’s benching followed a triple change for United in the 46th minute – Enock Machaga, Muhadjiri Hakizimana, and Kefa Nakhumicha - coming in for John Onyango, Kibwana, and Gideon Otieno.
Five minutes later, Namboka almost got his hat-trick after Mboma squared a cross from the right side, but he hit the woodwork. Maniema’s first substitution in the 55th minute saw Pitroipa withdrawn for Chadoma Mukeni.
United’s afternoon got even worse in the 57th minute when Machaga, who had only been on the pitch for 11 minutes after replacing Onyango, was shown a straight red card following a clumsy foul on Mboma.
The FKF Premier League promoted side, who were making their first appearance in the competition, finished without a point after losing all their six matches.
Zamalek, Al Masry advance
USM Alger secured a 0-0 draw against Olympic Club Safi of Morocco to reach the Round of 16. The Algerian outfit qualified alongside Olympic Club Safi.
Alger topped Group A with 14 points while Olympic Club Safi came second with 13 points. Zamalek and Al Masry reached the next round after securing wins on the final day of Group D, eliminating Kaizer Chiefs and Zesco United.
Zamalek, and Al Masry went into the final group fixtures with a chance to advance. A 2-1 win against Amakhosi saw them qualify, while Al Masry delivered when it mattered most, defeating Zesco United 2-0 to secure second place.
The Egyptian giants finished top with 11 points, Al Masry second on 10, Chiefs third on 10, and Zesco United bottom with three. Al Masry’s victory lifted them to 10 points, level with Chiefs but ahead on goal difference - a margin that ultimately proved decisive in the race for the last-eight places.
In the Champions League, Esperance secured their place in the next round with a commanding 2-0 victory over Petro Atletico, while Stade Malien confirmed top spot in Group D despite losing 1-0 against Simba SC.
