Nairobi United announce major change on their CAF Confederation Cup clash
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 18.10.25. | 16:28
The decision mirrors the situation witnessed during Kenya Police FC’s CAF Champions League tie against Al Hilal Omdurman
Nairobi United will play their first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round against Tunisia’s Étoile Sportive du Sahel behind closed doors, the club has announced.
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The fixture, initially scheduled for Nyayo Stadium, has been moved to the Ulinzi Sports Complex and will now take place on Sunday, 19 October.
While the Naibois did not specify the reason for the change of venue, Nyayo Stadium, which hosted the state funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, is understood to have suffered extensive damage.
This follows the massive public turnout that left the playing surface in poor condition.
“Given directives from CAF and the exceptional circumstances surrounding the change of venue to Ulinzi Sports Complex, Nairobi United Football Club wishes to inform all supporters that our upcoming CAF Confederation Cup fixture will be played behind closed doors,” the club said in a statement.
The decision mirrors the situation witnessed during Kenya Police FC’s CAF Champions League tie against Al Hilal Omdurman.
The tie was also played behind closed doors at the same venue due to security considerations.
CAF’s directives stipulate that only essential personnel will be allowed inside the stadium, including players, technical officials, 20 ball boys, and 10 executive committee members from each club.
Representatives from the Embassy of Tunisia in Kenya, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), accredited media within CAF’s limits, and official broadcast crews will also be permitted entry.
For Nairobi, the match represents a historic moment in their fairy-tale rise through Kenyan football.
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The newly promoted side has enjoyed a remarkable run over the past year, winning the 2024/25 National Super League (NSL) and the 2025 Mozzart Bet Cup.
The achievements earned them their first-ever appearance on the continental stage.
Their journey has been marked by resilience and big scalps, with notable victories over Tusker FC, Kakamega Homeboyz, and Gor Mahia on their way to domestic glory.
In continental action, United advanced to the second preliminary round after a 1-1 draw against Uganda’s National Enterprises Corporation (NEC) at Nyayo Stadium last month, progressing on the away goals rule after a 3-3 aggregate score.
Their Tunisian opponents, Étoile Sportive du Sahel, overturned a 1-0 first-leg loss to Sudan’s Al Ahli Wad Madani, winning 3-0 at home to secure their passage.
The team features Harambee Stars defender Alphonce Omija, who trained with the squad at the Police Sacco Pavilion on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s clash.
