CAFCC: Nairobi United overpower Etoile Sportive du Sahel to qualify

Kenyan Premier League side Nairobi United qualified for the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC) after defeating Tunisian giants Etoile Sportive du Sahel 7-6 on penalties during the return leg at Stade Olympique de Sousse on Sunday.

Going into the second preliminary round return leg fixture, United were enjoying a 2-0 advantage secured from the first leg in Nairobi. They held on against the North African side until the second half when they conceded two goals.

Rayan Anen pulled a goal back for Etoile at the start of the second half before a stoppage time header courtesy of substitute Ben Maazouz levelled the second preliminary round fixture at 2-2, to take it to penalties.

United goalkeeper Kevin Oduor turned the hero for the Nairobi-based side after he saved Etoile’s seventh penalty before converting the decisive kick, to hand the promoted side a ticket to their first-ever group stage appearance of the CAF competitions.

Etoile started the brightest side with striker Moussa Senghor testing a long range effort which Oduor did well to gather. The second chance fell to Etoile, this time Senghor heading wide after Kenya defender Alphonse Omija had done the spadework from the right side.

United will be Kenya’s only team in the group stages of a CAF club competition after FKF Premier League champions Kenya Police FC were eliminated from the Champions League following a 4-1 aggregate defeat to Sudanese champions Al Hilal SC.