In the Tunisian city of Sousse, Nairobi United set out to complete what they started in Nairobi. With a 2-0 cushion, the team stayed composed and well-structured, keeping Étoile du Sahel at bay despite an early onslaught.
By the final whistle, it was more than progression it was a statement. Beating an 11-time Tunisian champion on aggregate proved that Kenyan clubs can now stand toe-to-toe with North Africa’s best.
Nairobi United Founder and Chairman Samwel Born Maina hailed the victory as a “historic milestone” for Kenyan football, marking the team’s first-ever qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup group stages.
Speaking after the tense encounter, Maina described the moment as the culmination of years of sacrifice, faith, and unrelenting belief in the dream of building a homegrown football powerhouse.
“In 2018, I started a journey. I didn’t know the destination, but I knew I had the zeal and passion,” Maina reflected.
“I sacrificed a lot. I gave up so much for the sake of football, got frustrated, betrayed, but soldiered on. We fell down but dusted ourselves and stood up again, even in the darkest of circumstances.”
Maina paid tribute to individuals and teams that shaped Nairobi United’s rise from a small regional outfit to continental contenders.
“Owen Makokha, thank you for that slot you gave me to participate in the Nairobi West Regional League. That was the mustard seed you planted which is now a large tree,” he said, noting that countless coaches and supporters kept the vision alive through the years.
He acknowledged the efforts of coaches who laid the foundation for success.
“Coach Kenyatta and Coach Owoko worked hard in sharpening the boys at different times,” he said. “Then came Coach Simon Mbugua from Ruiru Hotstars , he’s the one who made us believe in dreaming big.”
Maina also credited Coach Paul Okatwa for bringing spiritual grounding and unity to the team.
“Paul took us to the next level he introduced the culture of prayers, Bible and Koran readings. Paul, asante. God did it for the boys,” Maina added emotionally.
He extended gratitude to community clubs that provided crucial support through the years, including Ruiru Hotstars, Mwihoko Football Club, Matieko Club in Kisii, Talanta FC, Kahawa United, and others that offered friendly matches and moral backing.
“The current players and all who have ever worn the Nairobi United badge, tonight’s historic win belongs to all of you. You were cogs of this big machine,” Maina said.
“The coaches and our brothers from many teams that worked with us closely over the years, this is for you too.”
Maina reserved special thanks for Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, whose support he said was instrumental in stabilizing and elevating the club.
“Governor Sakaja, you came in and injected proper oil into this big machine. Without you, tonight wouldn’t be possible. Mungu akubariki Sir, together with your team led by Osman and Davy,” he said.
As celebrations continued both in Tunisia and back home, Maina emphasized that this victory was bigger than the club itself.
“This victory shows what belief, structure, and teamwork can achieve,” he said. “Nairobi United to the world.”
