Kenya’s fast-rising football side Nairobi United FC will face an uphill battle in their first-ever CAF Confederation Cup group stage after being drawn into a challenging Group B during Monday’s official draw ceremony in Johannesburg.
The FKF Premier League debutants have been grouped alongside Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), AS Maniema Union (DR Congo), and Azam FC (Tanzania) — a quartet expected to produce some of the fiercest clashes in this season’s continental campaign.
Nairobi United booked their historic spot after a thrilling qualification run that saw them eliminate Tunisia’s Étoile Sportive du Sahel 7–6 on penalties. The tie ended 2–2 on aggregate following a 2–0 home victory and a 2–0 loss away, before goalkeeper Kevin Oduor became the hero — saving two penalties and converting the decisive spot-kick to seal Kenya’s return to continental group-stage football.
Earlier in the competition, coach Nicholas Muyoti’s side stunned regional fans by knocking out NEC FC of Uganda on away goals after a 3–3 aggregate draw in the second preliminary round.
The draw, conducted by CAF’s Head of Competitions Khaled Nassar and assisted by African football legends Christopher Katongo (Zambia) and Alex Song (Cameroon), paired the CECAFA region’s representatives — Nairobi United and Tanzania’s Azam FC — in the same group.
Group B is already being touted as a “mini-Champions League,” featuring Wydad Casablanca, one of Africa’s most decorated clubs with three CAF Champions League titles (1992, 2017, 2022); AS Maniema Union, regulars in continental football; and Azam FC, making their own historic group-stage debut.
The group-stage matches will run from November 23, 2025, to February 2026, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout phase.
Nairobi United’s qualification guarantees them a USD 400,000 (approx. KSh 51.6 million) windfall from CAF, a figure that could rise to USD 550,000 (KSh 71 million) should they progress to the quarterfinals.
“We respect every opponent, but we’re not afraid,” said coach Muyoti. “It’s a proud moment for Nairobi United and for Kenyan football. We’ll give everything to represent the country well.”
Full CAF Confederation Cup Group Draw (2025/26 Season)
Group A:
USM Alger (Algeria), Djoliba AC (Mali), Olympique Club de Safi (Morocco), FS San Pedro (Ivory Coast)
Group B:
Wydad AC (Morocco), AS Maniema Union (DR Congo), Azam FC (Tanzania), Nairobi United FC (Kenya)
Group C:
CR Belouizdad (Algeria), Stellenbosch FC (South Africa), AS Otoho (Congo Brazzaville), Singida Black Stars (Tanzania)
Group D:
Zamalek (Egypt), Al Masry (Egypt), Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa), Zesco United (Zambia)
