CAF Confederation Cup: Nairobi United Sets Sights on Group Stage After Impressive Win
Nairobi United secures a 2-0 win over Etoile du Sahel in the CAF Confederation Cup, putting them on the cusp of a historic group stage spot.
“We will play the same way we played at home...”
Nairobi United's recent 2-0 win over Etoile Sportive du Sahel in the CAF Confederation Cup has put them on the cusp of history. The Kenyan Premier League outfit is just one step away from securing a spot in the group stages of the prestigious tournament. Coach Salim Ali believes that if his team maintains their current form and commitment, they will qualify for the group stages, and history will follow naturally.
The victory marked a significant milestone for Nairobi United, who were promoted to the FKF Premier League last season. They made their continental debut by winning the FKF Cup, defeating Gor Mahia 2-1 in the final. Their impressive run in the CAF Confederation Cup has been fueled by their determination and focus, which earned them a 2-0 win over Etoile Sportive du Sahel.
Nairobi United's win has set up an exciting return leg in Sousse, Tunisia, where they will face Etoile Sportive du Sahel on October 26. The team will need to maintain their defensive solidity and capitalize on scoring opportunities to secure a spot in the group stages.
Nairobi United secured a crucial 2-0 win over NEC FC in the CAF Confederation Cup, with Ovella Ochieng and John Otieno scoring in either half. This victory gives them a significant advantage ahead of the return leg in Tunis.
Kenyan clubs have historically struggled against North African opponents in CAF competitions. Nairobi United's win provides a glimmer of hope that they might buck this trend and secure a spot in the group stages. The team will look to build on their momentum when they face Étoile du Sahel in the return leg.
Kenyan football clubs have struggled to make an impact in CAF competitions, but one team stands out for defying expectations. Gor Mahia, a record-holding Kenyan club, made history in 1987 by becoming the first East African team to win an African continental title, lifting the African Cup Winners' Cup trophy.
Sofapaka created history in 2011 by becoming the first Kenyan team to beat a North African side in a continental competition. The team stunned Egyptian giants Ismaily with a 4-0 home win, overturning a 2-0 deficit from the first leg to qualify for the Confederation Cup group stages.
Sofapaka's historic win over Ismaily was a notable achievement, especially considering the Egyptian side boasted seven national team players under coach Mark Wotte at the time. This victory marked a rare bright spot for Kenyan clubs, which had struggled in continental competitions.
In contrast, Ulinzi Stars, the previous year's Kenyan league champions, had an early CAF Champions League exit, losing 4-0 on aggregate to Zamalek in the first round.
Nairobi United coach Salim Ali is focused on the upcoming return leg against Etoile Sportive du Sahel, but he's not getting ahead of himself by thinking about making history. After his team's 2-0 win in the first leg, Ali believes that if his players replicate their performance in Tunis, history will follow naturally. “I think we are not chasing history, if we can have a very good match in Tunis next week, then I believe history will come by itself,” he said.
“We wanted to have a different match (from the previous two CAF matches against NEC), we wanted to use a different approach, and I believe if the players can keep the same morale, the same commitment, we will qualify for the group stages, and then again history will come back to Kenya.”
On whether he will deploy a defensive approach to protect the 2-0 advantage in Tunis, he replied: “We will play the same way we played at home, but on top of that, we will have to be very cautious, we can attack and at the end of the day, we have a mentality of defending again.
“So, we will try as much as possible to combine a very good team that can work on such tactics, because tactics, is now the key thing in away matches.”
He added: “We played for the fans because they are the ones who have motivated us, if you look at how they support us throughout the FKF Cup to earn this CAF ticket, and against Uganda Premier League NEC FC, home and away, I think the 12th man on the pitch has played a huge role for us.”
Nairobi United's CAF Confederation Cup campaign began with a thrilling 2-2 draw away to NEC FC, courtesy of a late goal. They then secured a 1-1 draw in the return leg, advancing to the next round on the away goals rule.
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