Nairobi United are on the brink of history as they prepare to face Tunisian heavyweights Étoile Sportive du Sahel in the CAF Confederation Cup second-round first leg at the Ulinzi Sports Complex. The Kenyan side is aiming to become the first club from the country since Gor Mahia in 2018 to qualify for the group stage of the competition.
Initially scheduled for the Nyayo National Stadium, the match was relocated to Ulinzi Sports Complex due to national events. In line with recent CAF directives, the game will be played behind closed doors, echoing Friday’s CAF Champions League fixture involving Kenya Police FC and Al Hilal. Despite the absence of fans, Nairobi United are determined to maintain their momentum and take a crucial advantage into next week’s return leg in Tunis.
Head coach Nicholas Muyoti, who will be watching from the stands due to licensing restrictions, has instilled belief and discipline in his squad throughout their debut continental campaign. “Our goal is to reach the group stage. We know what’s at stake, and we are ready for the challenge. Kenyan teams have struggled against North African sides in the past, but we believe we can change that,” he said ahead of the clash.
Nairobi United have already shown resilience in the tournament, advancing past Uganda’s NEC FC on away goals after a thrilling 3-3 aggregate draw. Their 2-2 draw in Kampala and a 1-1 result in Nairobi showcased their ability to compete under pressure. They will need similar determination to overcome Étoile du Sahel, a side with rich continental pedigree but currently struggling for form.
The Tunisian club, two-time winners of this competition in 1997 and 2003, reached this round after overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit to defeat Sudan’s Al-Ahli Wad Medani 3-0 at home. However, their domestic campaign has been inconsistent, sitting 12th in the Tunisian league with two wins, three draws, and four defeats.
Nairobi United, meanwhile, have made an encouraging start to their domestic season with victories over Mara Sugar and Kakamega Homeboyz, and only one defeat to Bidco United. They will be banking on home advantage and tactical discipline to secure a positive result before heading to North Africa.
A subplot to the fixture involves former Gor Mahia defender Alphonce Omija, now part of the Étoile du Sahel squad, though he will not feature as he is unregistered for the competition.
