Nairobi United Coach Reacts to Tough CAF Confederation Cup Draw

Nairobi United head coach Nicholas Muyoti has responded with defiant confidence after his debutant side was drawn into a "group of death" for the upcoming CAF Confederation Cup.

The Naibois are thrown straight into the lion’s den, but head coach Nicholas Muyoti is not quaking in his boots. 

The SportPesa League newbies are in a bruising Group ‘B’, up against Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca, Tanzania’s Azam FC and Congo’s AS Maniema Union — a line-up dripping with pedigree and pressure.

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Muyoti, calm but fiercely determined, insists his team will not be travelling across Africa as tourists. This, he says, is their moment to fight for respect.

“We respect the giants, yes—but even giants fall when a team believes more than it fears,” said Muyoti as per The Star.

The former Nairobi City Stars coach frames the intimidating draw not as a setback, but as an opportunity to validate their rapid rise and reset the narrative for Kenyan football.

“This draw is not a punishment; it’s an invitation to prove that Kenyan football still has a heartbeat,” he said.

 “When people said we couldn’t reach this far, I told the boys—football doesn’t listen to history; it listens to hunger.”

The draw places Naibois in the path of Africa’s most consistent performers.

 Wydad Casablanca, three-time CAF Champions League winners, bring an unmatched pedigree. Azam FC’s experience in East African derbies and Maniema Union’s raw athleticism make this pool one of the tournament’s toughest.

Still, Muyoti refuses to blink. “We are the new kids on Africa’s block, but we won’t knock politely,” he smiled. “We’re coming with noise, energy, and pride.”

His preparations would focus on tactical adaptability and discipline—two areas he believes can bridge the gap between Kenya’s domestic game and the continent’s elite. 

The gaffer acknowledges the gulf in experience but believes belief and preparation can be the great equalizers.

“You can’t buy experience, but you can build it in fire,” he said.

Nairobi United’s presence in the Confederation Cup marks a turning point for Kenyan football, long battered by boardroom wrangles and false dawns. 

The club is carrying the hopes of a nation desperate to see a local team compete meaningfully on the continental stage.

“Our dream isn’t to survive—it’s to surprise,” said Muyoti. 

“To walk into those stadiums and leave with stories our children will tell.”

The club begins residential training next week ahead of their opening clash against Wydad in Nairobi.

 CAF is expected to confirm fixtures soon, with Nyayo Stadium set to host United’s home ties.

Muyoti remains unshaken and caps off his comments with his trademark grin. 

“We’re not afraid of the mountain,” he said. 

“We just came to climb.”