Nairobi United have been handed a taxing group in the CAF Confederation Cup following a draw conducted on Monday, 3 November, in South Africa.
The FKF Premier League debutants will square off against Tanzanian powerhouse Azam FC, Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca, and DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union in what promises to be a fiercely contested Group B.
Nairobi United secured their maiden group-stage berth in dramatic fashion, edging out two-time Confederation Cup champions Etoile Sportive du Sahel of Tunisia 7–6 on post-match penalties after a tense two-legged affair last week.
The Nicholas Muyoti-coached side also secured their maiden qualification to the continental group stage after an impressive campaign through the preliminary rounds.
In the first preliminary round, the reigning National Super League (NSL) champions edged Uganda’s National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) FC on the away goals rule after a 3-3 aggregate draw.
United held NEC to a 2-2 draw in Kampala before a 1-1 stalemate at the Nyayo National Stadium sealed their progression to the next round.
The second preliminary round saw Nairobi United face a daunting test against Tunisian giants Étoile Sportive du Sahel, an 11-time Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 champion.
United stunned the North African side with a 2-0 home victory at the Ulinzi Complex, before falling by the same margin in the return leg in Sousse, Tunisia, forcing the tie into penalties.
Goalkeeper Kevin Oduor emerged as the hero of the night, saving crucial spot kicks and converting the decisive penalty as Nairobi triumphed 7-6 in the shootout to seal a place in the group stage, a feat previously achieved only by record league champions Gor Mahia among Kenyan clubs.
Their opponents, Azam FC, booked their group stage slot in emphatic fashion, crushing Zanzibar’s Kikosi Maalum cha Kuzuia Magendo (KMKM) SC 9-0 on aggregate.
The Tanzanians won 2-0 away before recording a resounding 7-0 victory at home to advance comfortably.
Wydad Athletic Club, on their part, showcased their pedigree with a 6-1 aggregate demolition of Ghana’s Asante Kotoko.
The Moroccan powerhouse, boasting big names such as Hakim Ziyech, Aziz Ki, Thembinkosi Lorch, and Sofyan Amrabat, claimed a narrow 1-0 first-leg win before overpowering Kotoko 5-1 in the return fixture.
Meanwhile, AS Maniema Union edged Eswatini’s Royal Leopards FC on penalties after both legs ended in identical 1-1 draws.
Maniema triumphed 4-3 in the shootout to secure their spot in the group stage.
Elsewhere in Group D, Egyptian giants Zamalek SC, home to Harambee Stars defender Baron Ochieng, headline a tough pool that includes Al Masry (Egypt), Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa), and ZESCO United (Zambia).
Below is the full CAF Confederation Cup group stage draw:
Group A:
USM Alger (Algeria)
Djoliba AC (Mali)
OC Safi (Morocco)
San Pedro (Côte d’Ivoire)
Group B:
Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)
AS Maniema Union (DR Congo)
Azam SC (Tanzania)
Nairobi United (Kenya)
Group C:
CR Belouizdad (Algeria)
Stellenbosch FC (South Africa)
AS Otohô (Congo Brazzaville)
Singida Black Stars (Tanzania)
Group D:
Zamalek SC (Egypt)
Al Masry (Egypt)
Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)
ZESCO United (Zambia)
