Nairobi: Nairobi United FC have qualified for the group stage of the 2025/2026 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, writing a new chapter in Kenyan football history after securing a place in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage. Nairobi United knocked Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel out of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, winning 7-6 on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate draw to reach the group stage on their first attempt.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Kenyan side arrived in Sousse with a 2-0 cushion from the first leg, but Etoile du Sahel levelled the tie through Mohamed Anani’s strike on 48 minutes and a stoppage-time header from Ghofrane Naouali. With no extra time, the shootout decided it-Nairobi holding their nerve to complete a landmark qualification.
Nairobi United goalkeeper Kevin Oduor turned the hero after he saved the hosts’ seventh penalty before converting the decisive kick. 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.
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, Etoile du Sahel 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. 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. Nairobi United FC will now join two other teams Azam FC and Singida Black Stars FC (Tanzania) in the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
The other teams that have qualified include Zamalek FC, Wydad AC, USM Alger, CR Belouizdad, Djoliba FC, San Pedro, Al Masry, Zesco Utd FC, Maniema Union FC, AS Otoho and Kaizer Chiefs FC.