Nairobi United FC have qualified for the group stage of the 2025/2026 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

The Kenya Premier League side edged Tunisian side Etoile Sportive du Sahel 7-6 on penalties after the home side had won the return leg 2-0 to level the aggregate 2-2.

The home side scored through Rayan Anen and substitute Ben Maazouz to give them another chance in the penalty shoot-out.

Nairobi United goalkeeper Kevin Oduor turned the hero after he saved the hosts’ seventh penalty before converting the decisive kick.

Nairobi United FC will now join two other teams Azam FC and Singida Black Stars FC (Tanzania) in the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

The other teams that have qualified include; Zamalek FC, Wydad AC, USM Alger, CR Belouizdad, Djoliba FC, San Pedro, Al Masry, Zesco Utd FC, Maniema Union FC, AS Otoho and Kaizer Chiefs FC.

Experienced coach Miguel Gamondi has guided Singida Black Stars FC to qualification for their first TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

The Argentine who signed a one year contract in August this year started his tenure by guiding Singida Black Stars FC to win the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2025.

On Saturday Singida Black Stars FC wrote their own history coming from a goal down in the return leg of the second preliminary round to beat 10-man Flambeu du Centre 3-1 and qualify for the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

David Irishura gave Flambeu du Centre the lead after 26 minutes at the Azam Complex Stadium. But after recess Horso Muaku leveled matters for Singida Black Stars FC.

In the 65^th minute the home side earned a penalty after a deliberate handball in the box and the read card for the Burundian side. Zambian import Clatous Chama made no mistake from the spot. Idriss Diomande put the icing on the cake with a third goal in the 75 minutes.

Singida Black Stars FC went on to qualify on a 4-2 goal aggregate and now join other teams like Azam FC (Tanzania), Zesco FC (Zambia), Maniema Fc (DR Congo), USM Alger (Algeria), San Pedro (Ivory Coast) and Olympique de Safi (Morocco) in the group stage.

On Sunday Nairobi United FC who carry a 2-0 advantage will face Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) in the return leg with any draw or 1-0 defeat being enough for them o book a place in the group stage.

Tanzania Premier League side, Azam FC have qualified for the group stage of the 2025/2026 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

After taking a 2-0 first leg win, Azam FC handled by experienced Florent Ibenge humbled KMKM SC 7-0 in the return leg of the second preliminary round match played at the Azam Complex Stadium on Friday evening.

Iddy Nado and DR Congo forward Japhte Kitambala each netted a brace to give the Ice Cream makers a comfortable 4-0 half time lead against the Zanzibar side.

After recess the KMKM SC side tried to push forward, but got punished on the break after 49 minutes when Pascal Msindo made it 5-0 for Azam FC.

Abdul Sopu also scored a brace to make sure Azam FC marched comfortably 9-0 on aggregate into the group stage. “I am very happy with the way my players have reacted today compared to the first leg. We need to continue working hard because we shall have many matches to come,” said Azam FC coach Ibenge.

In another match involving a team from the CECAFA Zone, Somalia’s Dekedaha FC lost the return leg 1-0 to Zamalek FC in a match played at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday. Seifeddine Jaziri converted a first half penalty for Zamalek FC.

The defeat means the Egyptian side advance to the group stage on a 7-0 goal aggregate.

Action will continues on Saturday when Singida Black Stars FC (Tanzania) host Burundi’s Flambeu du Centre in Dar es salaam. The first leg ended 1-1.

On Sunday Kenya’s Nairobi United who carry a 2-0 advantage will play away to Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia.

Nairobi United FC scored in each half to shock experienced Etoile Sportive du Sahel 2-0 in the first leg second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

Ovella Ochieng gave the hosts the lead after 37 minutes in the closed match played at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.

Ochieng made no mistake capitalizing on a well taken pass by Enoch Machaka.

Earlier Moussa Senghor had a good chance for Etoile Sportive du Sahel, but his effort missed the target.

In the second half, the visiting Tunisian Premier League side tried to push forward, but the Nairobi United defenders stood firm.

Duncan Omalla doubled Nairobi United’s lead after 57th minutes. Five minutes later Ochieng could have made it 3-0, but his shot hit the woodwork.

Nairobi United handled by former Kenyan international Nicholas Muyoti will now look to the second leg to be played at Stade Olympique de Sousse on October 26^th.

In match involving two teams from the CECAFA Zone, hosts Flambeau du centre (Burundi) battled from a goal down to score and draw 1-1 against Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars FC.

Zambian International Clatous Chama had given Singida Black Stars FC in the second half, but the Burundian side were quick to level matters.