- Nairobi United make history by qualifying for the Confederation Cup Group Stage for the first time.
- They beat Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel 7-6 on post-match penalties.
- The game had ended 2-2 on aggregate after the first and second leg.
Goalkeeper Kevin Oduor produced a heroic performance as SportPesa League side Nairobi United sealed a historic qualification to the 25/26 CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage after edging out Tunisian giants Etoile Sportive du Sahel 7-6 in a dramatic penalty shootout on Sunday night in Sousse, Tunisia.
The Kenyan debutants, who carried a 2–0 advantage from the first leg in Nairobi, held on bravely before falling 2–0 in regulation time, forcing the match into penalties where Oduor became the star of the night.
After a nerve-wracking 90 minutes that ended 2–2 on aggregate, Nairobi United triumphed 7–6 on penalties, making history by booking a spot in the group stage of Africa’s second-tier club competition for the very first time.
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Oduor had a rollercoaster evening in Sousse. With his team seconds away from qualification, the goalkeeper made a costly mistake in stoppage time, coming off his line to collect a long ball but missing it completely, allowing Gaffran Al Nawali to head home Etoile’s second goal of the night.
Earlier, the Tunisians had opened the scoring in the 53rd minute through Rayan Anen, who finished off a neat cutback to give his side hope of overturning the deficit.
Despite the late setback, Oduor redeemed himself spectacularly in the penalty shootout. He denied Etoile’s captain Nahim Nhid with a superb save onto the crossbar in the opening round of penalties, setting the tone for a tense exchange.
Nairobi United make history
Although Nairobi United’s first taker Frank Ouya also missed, the rest of the players John Otieno, Brian Mzee, Kevin Otiende, Lennox Ogutu, Chris Opondo and Brian Magare all converted confidently for coach Nicholas Muyoti’s side.
When Etoile substitute Cedric Gbo fired his spot kick straight at Oduor, the keeper saved easily before stepping up himself to take Nairobi United’s decisive penalty.
Oduor calmly slotted past Ben Hassen, sparking wild celebrations among the traveling Kenyan contingent and silencing the home crowd.
The victory marks a milestone for Nairobi United, who are competing in the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time in their history.
Oduor’s transformation from villain to hero will go down as one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Kenyan club football history.
Nairobi United now await the official CAF draw to learn their group stage opponents on November 3 as they continue to write new chapters in their fairy-tale continental campaign.