Nairobi United overpower Tunisian opponent to inch closer to CAF Confederation Cup group stages

FKF Premier League side, Nairobi United, made a giant step towards qualifying for the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup after securing a priceless 2-0 victory over Tunisian side Étoile Sportive du Sahel in the second-round first-leg tie played at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Sunday, 19 October.

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Goals from Ovella Ochieng and John Otieno either side of the break capped off a promising outing for the hosts, who despite playing without their home support, registered a convincing win, which hands them a decent advantage ahead of the return-leg set for Sunday, 26 October.

Carrying the bio ‘Unbeaten in CAF Inter-Club competitions’, Nairobi United extended their fine run in their continental football debut, and many will argue that the scoreline was not an accurate depiction of their dominance in the tie initially set to be played at the Nyayo National Stadium, but relocated to Ulinzi owing to national events surrounding the memorial service of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Both sides, having respectfully held a moment of silence for the towering Kenyan leader, got off to an explosive start, which saw both goalkeepers tested within the first six minutes of the game.

It was shortly after the 20th minute when real chances began dropping - Duncan Omalla hitting the cross bar in the 27th minute before fluffing a sitter moments later.

On the opposite end however, former Cup winners Sahel toiled hard, and were made to pay for their torrid display when Ochieng gave Naibois the lead with a stunning shot to the top-right corner eight minutes to the break.

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In memory of the aforementioned Raila, the players hurdled up at one of the corners to display a replica shirt written “Baba” and numbered 80 - representing the age in which he died.

Much like the first-half, Nairobi United were on top of things in the second period, and added to their lead just seven minutes after the break through Ochieng.

In an ideal world, coach Nicholas Muyoti will have wished his boys to make use of multiple opportunities the hosts carved in the half, but will take delight in inching closer to a feat that was last witnessed by a Kenyan club 17 years ago, when Gor Mahia reached the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

A daunting trip to the Stade Olympique de Sousse awaits.