Duncan Omala’s equaliser in stoppage time was enough to give Nairobi United a valuable lifeline, sealing a 1-1 draw to proceed to the next round on aggregate.

Reigning FKF Cup champions Nairobi United are through to the second round of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup after edging NEC of Uganda on away goals following a dramatic 1-1 draw in the return leg at Nyayo Stadium.

The result sealed a 3-3 aggregate tie, but with the Naiboys having netted two crucial away goals in Kampala during the first leg, they advanced to set up a clash against either Al Ahli Madani (Sudan) or ES Sétif (Tunisia) in the next round.

NEC were in control for much of the first half, and should have taken the lead in the fourth minute, which forced Nairobi United keeper Kevin Oduor into making a good save to deny Charles Waibi from close range.

Nairobi United would get their first chance on the counter attack in the 9th minute when Frank Ouya received the ball from out wide and then attempted to cut inside on his stronger right foot with options to pass to, but hit it just wide of target.

They would get another chance when new signing Ovela Ochieng received the ball from the right wing and combined excellently with Ouya, receiving the ball again near the byline and unleashed a cross which was deflected wide for a corner kick.

From the resultant delivery, Nairobi United captain John Otieno rose highest to head the ball towards goal, but it sailed wide off the mark.

NEC would continue possessing the ball in efforts to open the scoring, and their efforts finally bore fruit in the 27th minute when Waibi, who had been giving Yusuf Mainge problems all afternoon, got on the end of a throw in that caused confusion in the Naiboys’ box, before he pounced on the ball to unleash a ferocious shot into the roof of the net to give them the lead into the break.

In the second half, Nicholas Muyoti decided to make two changes, bringing on Shami Kibwana and Michael Karamor for Enock Machaka and Ouya as he sought for more control.

Nairobi United did start taking the game to the opposition, and in the 50th minute, Kibwana nearly equalised for the hosts when he attempted a freekick from just outside the box that sailed wide off target. 

United did not give up, and their relentless pressure finally paid off in the 65th minute through Duncan Omala following some nice piece of build up inside NEC’s half, and now, there was everything to play for for the remaining 25 minutes of the match.

Nairobi United should have taken the lead again in the 73rd minute from a counter attack when Kibwana, who had made such a huge difference since coming on, received the ball from inside his own half and carried it well towards the opposition initial third, but fluffed his lines with a wayward final ball.

NEC would also have a good opportunity moments later, forcing Oduor into another acrobatic save to deny Waibi Yet again. 

Shortly afterwards, Nairobi United should have sealed the tie through another good counter attack, and with NEC’s keeperHannington Sewbwalunyu  caught out of position, all substitute Brian Ogutu needed to do was lob it over early, but he waited until it was too late with the custodian recovering to clutch it safely.

Despite late NEC pressure, United held firm to preserve the draw, ensuring progression by virtue of their two away goals from the first leg.

For Muyoti’s men, it is another significant milestone in what has been a rapid rise in continental football. They now await confirmation of their second-round opponents, with a chance to edge closer to the group stage of Africa’s second-tier club competition.