Nairobi United have written a new chapter in Kenyan football history after securing a place in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage in their very first attempt.
The Kenyan side triumphed 7–6 on penalties against Tunisia’s Etoile Sportive du Sahel (ESS) after a 2–2 aggregate score over two legs, sealing a memorable qualification that crowns their remarkable rise in recent seasons.
Naibois earned the right to represent Kenya in continental football after winning the 2025 Mozzart Bet Cup, a victory that also capped a sensational domestic campaign in which they achieved promotion to the SportPesa League.
In their first preliminary round, the team faced Uganda’s NEC FC. The first leg in Uganda at the Hamz Stadium ended 2–2, before a 1–1 draw at Nyayo Stadium saw them advance on the away goals rule.
That result set up a second preliminary round clash with Etoile Sportive du Sahel, one of North Africa’s most seasoned continental sides. At the Ulinzi Complex, Nairobi United stunned the visitors with a 2–0 first-leg win while in the return leg in Tunisia, ESS matched the scoreline to level the aggregate at 2–2, sending the tie straight to penalties.
However, Nairobi United held firm to win the shootout 7–6, booking their ticket to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Their qualification marks a historic milestone for a club that only gained promotion to Kenya’s top tier in the 2024/25 season, after clinching a remarkable domestic double — the National Super League title and the MozzartBet Cup. Now, in their maiden continental campaign, Nairobi United have gone a step further by reaching the group stage of one of Africa’s biggest competitions.
As the only Kenyan representative on the continental stage this season, Nairobi United’s achievement shines even brighter. A testament to their resilience, ambition, and the growing strength of Kenyan club football on the African stage.
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