Nairobi United's Ovella Ochieng' (R) in action against Tunisia's heavyweights Étoile du Sahel/NAIROBI UNITED“This isn’t the end — it’s just the beginning of something bigger.” Those were the words of Nairobi United head coach Nicholas Muyoti after his side made history by storming into the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Naibois stunned Tunisian heavyweights Étoile du Sahel in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout that ended 7-6 after a thrilling 2-2 draw in normal time.
The victory sealed their passage to the group phase and earned the five-year-old club a Sh51 million windfall — a transformative moment for Kenyan football.
Goalkeeper Kevin Oduor was the hero of the night, saving two penalties before stepping up to calmly slot home the decisive kick that sent his teammates and travelling fans into wild celebration.
Speaking on arrival at JKIA from North Africa on Tuesday morning, Muyoti said his players had silenced doubters and showed that Kenyan clubs could stand tall on the continental stage.
“We’ve come a long way. People didn’t believe we could go this far, but the boys gave everything,” he said.
Technical director Salim Ali echoed the coach’s sentiments, describing the qualification as the fruit of “months of hard work, planning and unity”. He said the team’s tactical evolution — combining youthful energy with experience — had been central to their success.
“This didn’t happen overnight,” said Ali. “We invested in proper scouting, player discipline and mental preparation. The next target is to compete, not just participate.”
President William Ruto congratulated the team, calling their triumph “a victory for Kenyan resilience” and praising the club’s management for its “professionalism and vision”.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja also lauded the win, dedicating it to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, “whose love for the game has inspired generations”.
Formed just five years ago, Nairobi United’s rise has been meteoric. Muyoti said the journey had tested his players’ resolve, but that belief had carried them through.
“We’ve faced pressure before and we’ve survived,” he said. “Now we want to write another chapter in Kenyan football.”
Nairobi United’s success didn’t come overnight. Earlier this year, the club — then battling for promotion in the National Super League — was guided by the same resilience and focus that has now carried them to continental football.
Under coach Nicholas Muyoti, the team built momentum with a disciplined approach and strong squad depth, qualities that helped them secure promotion to the top tier.
The Johnson Sakaja Foundation, which sponsors the club, has been credited for investing in player development and infrastructure, laying the groundwork for what is now being celebrated as one of Kenya’s most inspiring football stories.
