Participating in continental football for the first time in their history, promoted Kenyan Premier League outfit Nairobi United have made clear their ambitions in the CAF Confederation Cup after progressing to the second preliminary round of the competition on Saturday.
Nicknamed the Naibois, the Nairobi-based side, who had written history by becoming the second team to clinch the domestic FKF Cup while playing in the lower National Super League (NSL), sealed their passage to the next round after holding Ugandan side NEC FC to a 1-1 draw, advancing on aggregate score tied at 3-3.
After an intense first leg that ended 2-2 in Uganda, the Kenyan debutants knew they needed to stay composed at home against a spirited NEC side looking to capitalise on any mistakes.
However, it was the visiting side who scored first in the first half before Nairobi United responded to make it 1-1.
Nairobi United reveal their ultimate goal
According to Nairobi United coach Nicholas Muyoti, the team has already shifted focus to their second round assignment, with their eyes glued on sealing a ticket to the group stages on their first attempt.
United have already been drawn to face Tunisian side Etoile Sportive du Sahel in the second round, with the first leg fixture slated for Kenya on October 17th, and the return contest in Tunis on October 24th.
The North African side reached the second round following a 3-1 aggregate win against Sudanese Premier League side Al-Ahli Wad Medani. Despite losing the first leg 1-0 at Azam Complex Stadium, Sahel recovered to win the return leg 3-0 at Stade Olympique de Sousse in Tunisia.
“Going into the second round, basically we are taking it a match at a time, but our main goal, or ultimate target is to go into the group stages, so whoever is coming next, we need to plan well, and make sure we are ready for them,” Muyoti told Flashscore.
Kenyan teams have always had it rough playing against North Africans teams at this stage of the competition, but despite the record, Muyoti, who is a former Kenya national team player, is not getting worried heading into the two-legged fixture.
“We want to prepare knowing that we have what is needed to win the game, as much as we have not been getting favourable results against teams from North Africa, we have the chance to put things right, we want to get a convincing result at home, and see what happens away,” added Muyoti.
Looking at their game against NEC, Muyoti admitted that his side were outplayed and out muscled by the Ugandan Premier League, which forced his side to protect their away-goals advantage and confirm their historic progression.
“I want to thank God for the result, it was not an easy match, NEC is a very good side, they gave us a run for our money, and I believe in the first half, we didn’t play as planned,” added Muyoti.
“I think we had a lot of problems in the midfield, they dominated, they muscled us out, but after making changes in the second half, we had an improved midfield and that is why we got our goal.”
Muyoti added: “I have to laud my defence and especially the goalkeeper on how they played, they handled themselves really well and they put us in the match, and I can only thank God for the overall performance and qualification ticket.”
Nairobi United must raise their confidence level
Asked which area his side must improve on ahead of the second round, Muyoti responded: “I think first of all is confidence, we need to be confidence, we were not confidence enough in the first half, and basically they out muscled us, and this is an areas as we continue with training, we need to make sure that our boys are fit enough to be able to play in this kind of competition.
“You could see what NEC were doing, they were good on the ball, they were moving very well, and for us being our first time, and our boys playing for the first time at this level, there are very important lessons that we have learnt from the two matches, we have played against NEC.”
He concluded: “I think we just need to improve on these areas, and then we will be good to go.”
Before the Sahel fixture, Nairobi United are expected to make their debut campaign in the Kenyan Premier League with an away fixture against Mara Sugar at Awendo Green Stadium on Wednesday.
