Nairobi United sealed progression to the second preliminary round of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup after holding Ugandan side NEC to a dramatic 1-1 draw at Nyayo Stadium. The result saw the FKF Cup champions advance on away goals following a 3-3 aggregate scoreline.
The Kenyan side knew they only needed a positive result after scoring twice in Kampala during the first leg, but it was not an easy task against a determined NEC side.
First Half
NEC dominated possession in the early stages and nearly struck in the fourth minute, forcing goalkeeper Kevin Oduor into a vital save to keep United in the contest. Nairobi United responded quickly on the counter, with Frank Ouya flashing a shot wide after cutting in from the flank.
Ovela Ochieng looked lively on the wings and combined well with Ouya to create another opening, but the Naiboys’ finishing lacked precision. The breakthrough eventually came in the 27th minute for NEC, as Charles Waibi capitalised on a defensive mix-up to fire into the roof of the net and give the visitors a deserved lead going into halftime.
Second Half
Nairobi United coach Nicholas Muyoti made tactical changes after the break, introducing Shami Kibwana and Michael Karamor to add more energy in attack. Kibwana nearly made an instant impact with a free kick that flew narrowly wide.
The hosts piled on the pressure, and in the 65th minute, their persistence paid off when Duncan Omala finished off a neat attacking move to level the score. That crucial goal placed United in control of the tie thanks to their away-goal advantage.
Kibwana continued to threaten, bursting forward on a counter in the 73rd minute but failing to deliver the decisive pass. NEC also created chances of their own, with Oduor pulling off another fine stop to deny Waibi late on. Substitute Brian Ogutu could have put the tie beyond doubt when he found himself with the NEC goalkeeper stranded, but hesitation cost him the chance.
Despite late pressure from the visitors, Nairobi United held firm to secure the draw and advance. The result marks another significant step in their rapid rise on the continental stage.
United will now await confirmation of their next opponents, with Sudan’s Al Ahli Madani and Tunisia’s ES Sétif in contention to face them. The Naiboys will be aiming to continue their journey towards the group stage of Africa’s second-tier competition.
