A goal in either half courtesy of Ovella Ochieng and John Otieno ensured the promoted Nairobi-based side will travel to Tunis for the return leg at Stade Olympique de Sousse on Sunday, October 26th, carrying a healthy advantage and perfect chance to reach the group stages of the competition.
The Naibois arrived at this stage to represent the East African nation following their success in clinching the domestic FKF Cup on the final day of last season. Having been promoted to the FKF Premier League, they had one hurdle: to win a ticket to represent Kenya on the continental scene.
They came up against Kenyan record champions Gor Mahia in the final, and despite the odds being against them, they wrote history by becoming the second promoted team in the history of Kenyan football after Mathare United to win the FKF Cup after defeating K’Ogalo 2-1.
Their first preliminary round pitted them against Ugandan Premier League side NEC FC, and the first leg clash was drawn away. Nairobi United scored at the death to snatch a 2-2 draw. The return leg in Nairobi saw the two sides battle to a 1-1 draw, with Naibois qualifying to the second preliminary round on the away goals rule.
With the team's eyes glued on reaching the knockout stages for the first time, coach Nicholas Muyoti named a strong side to face the Tunisian side, with Dancan Omala, brother to former Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala, keeping his place in the starting XI alongside Michael Karamor in the attacking role.
Kevin Oduor started between the sticks, while Kevin Otiende, John Otieno, Lennox Ogutu, and Yusuf Nasri formed the backline with Brian Omondi and Lesley Owino right behind them. Enock Machaka and Ovella Ochieng played in the midfield, supporting Omala and Karamor.
Meanwhile, Étoile du Sahel named new signing from Kenya, defender Alphonse Omija, in their starting XI. He joined Étoile after his impressive displays during the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) co-hosted in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Omija led the Benni McCarthy-coached side to reach the knockout stages for the first time in history.
Nairobi United squandered first chance
NairobI United started the best way possible, managing to force goalkeeper Khaled Youssef into a double save with only 10 minutes played. First, the unmarked Omala unleashed a superb effort from outside the area, which Youssef managed to punch back to play, and the rebound fell to Karamor, who replied with another thunderous effort, but this time Youssef dived the right way to make a save.
Five minutes after United’s failed attempt to break the deadlock, Sahel responded when Moussa Senghor fired his effort off target following a delivery from Mohamed Yasine, despite being in a good position to sneak it past Oduor.
The game remained balanced until the 37th minute when dominant Nairobi United broke the deadlock. A cross from Lesley Owino found Machaka, who in turn laid the pass to Omala, and the striker never wasted the opportunity as he planted it past Youssef for a 1-0 lead at the half-time break.
In the 57th minute, Nairobi United, who were playing behind closed doors, doubled their lead courtesy of John Otieno’s well-taken goal. Ochieng could have scored his second in the 62nd minute, but he rattled the woodwork from close range.
Meanwhile, in Zanzibar, Tanzanian giants Azam FC took a big step towards the group stages after defeating KMKM 2–0 at the Amaan Stadium. Goals from Jephte Kitambala in the sixth minute and Pascal Msindo in the 42nd minute respectively secured a comfortable first-leg advantage for the Chamazi-based club.
Equatorial Guinea’s 15 de Agosto were frustrated to a goalless draw by last season’s semi-finalists, Stellenbosch FC, who are looking to continue the great form that they displayed last season.
