Nairobi United Hold Nerve to Reach Confed Cup Group Stages After Beating Tunisian Giants Étoile du Sahel on Penalties

Nairobi United made history by advancing to the CAF Confederation Cup group stages after prevailing 7-6 in a tense penalty shootout against Étoile Sportive du Sahel.

The Kenyan side had fallen 2-0 in the second leg in Sousse, leaving the tie deadlocked at 2-2 on aggregate.

Goalkeeper Kevin Odour was the hero, saving two penalties and calmly converting the winning spot-kick to send the newly promoted FKF Premier League side into the history books. Nairobi United became only the fourth Kenyan club to overcome a North African opponent on their first attempt, joining the ranks of Luo Union, Utalii, and Bandari.

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Étoile du Sahel made a lively start to the encounter and almost took the lead inside the opening minute when John Otieno’s poor clearance from the Nairobi United defence allowed an Étoile forward to get into the box, only for Otieno to hook the ball out of play with a timely intervention. 

The Tunisian side came close again in the 13th minute, but goalkeeper Kevin Odour was alert to collect Mohamed Senghor’s attempt before it could trouble the net.

Nairobi United responded through Dancan Omala, who combined neatly with Enock Machaka before seeing his effort comfortably gathered by Ben Hassen. 

In the 23rd minute, Étoile earned a set piece outside the box from a clearance by Nairobi United captain John Otieno, but Nader Ferjani’s delivery was easily dealt with by the home defence.

Ovella Ochieng then broke free down the right flank in the 32nd minute skilfully dodging an Étoile defender, yet his weak effort went straight into the hands of Ben Hassen.

Both sides pressed for a breakthrough, and three minutes before halftime, Michael Karamor had a golden opportunity to tap in Ovella Ochieng’s cross from the right, but he failed to convert, leaving the scoreline goalless at the interval.

The second half became more competitive as both teams raised the tempo in search of a decisive goal. Étoile du Sahel kept Nairobi United on the backfoot early, testing the Kenyan defence with a series of probing attacks, but Kevin Odour and his defenders maintained their composure.

Étoile finally went close in the 50th minute when a cutback from Chaker Gbo found Rami Anen, whose powerful strike was well blocked by Odour, denying the visitors an early breakthrough. 

Nairobi United responded with swift counter-attacks, with Ovella Ochieng and Dancan Omala linking up down the flanks but the Étoile defence, marshalled by Salah Ghedamsi, repelled the danger.

On the hour mark Ovella Ochieng again broke free on the right and delivered a dangerous cross into the box for Michael Karamor whose attempt was narrowly kept out by Sabri Ben Hassen. 

Ten minutes later, Étoile returned to the attack with Mohamed Senghor meeting a cross from the right only for his header to sail wide of the target.

Étoile threw men forward in the final seven minutes of added time and scored, leveling the tie 2-2 on aggregate and taking the match to penalties.

The Nai Boys  will now wait to learn their group stage opponents in Johannesburg, South Africa, where the draw for the 16 winners of the second round will be held on 3 November 2025, with the sides drawn into four groups of four.

Étoile Sportive du Sahel: Sabri Ben Hassen, Salah Ghedamsi (C), Nader Hnid, Ali Omija, Nader Ferjani, Ahmed Ben Amor, Nader Al Glaieb, Chaker Gbo, Rami Anen, Mohamed Senghor, Rami Aouani.

Nairobi United:  Kevin Odour, Kevin Otiende, John Otieno, Lennox Ogutu, Yusuf Nasri, Brian Omondi, Lesley Owino, Enock Machaka, Ovella Ochieng, Michael Karamor, Dancan Omala.