How Steven Oduor defied odds to inspire Nairobi United to CAF millions
By Luke Oluoch, October 27, 2025In a remarkably odd-defying story, Nairobi United qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup group stage after stunning Tunisian giants Etoile Sahel on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
The second round return leg tie ended 2-2 on aggregate, and the Kenyan side held their nerve to win 7-6 on penalties.
Despite enjoying a two-goal cushion, everything was stacked against the debutants, Kenyans, approaching the clash in Sousse with no prior experience at the continental stage.
Their opponents boast an impressive resume as 11-time Tunisian league champions. However, the fancied CV did little to deny the plucky boys of Nicholas Muyoti from making a huge windfall from CAF .
In a typical away day at football in North Africa, the Kenyan braved a tense environment coupled with a full stadium using every available means, fair or foul, to disrupt and eventually break through their defense.
Anti-football acts
Oduor bore the brunt of anti-football antics, with the crowds targeting him with laser beams.
The delicate stage demanded his best show, and he came up trumps with top drawer saves from the spot.
Lottery of penalty shoot-outs
He proved unbeaten from the spot and after saving Sahel’s sixth penalties, the custodian courageously stepped up to send the Kenyans to the next rounds in a remarkable fashion.
His well-dispatched spot kick sent the visiting Kenyan contingents of players and officials into joyous celebration, eliminating the fancied opponents.
The assured display affirmed his repute among Kenya’s newest goalkeeping greats as it added to his impressive stops from the preliminary round stage clash against NEC, where a couple of decent saves saw Naibois through the line and into the second rounds.
Stand out performers
Other than Oduor, the experienced defensive duo of John Otieno, the mercurial skipper, and Lennox Ogutu, formerly with Mathare United, proved influential in the team’s run.
Offensively, Dancan Omalla- one of his first leg goals proved crucial in the long run- and Enock Machaka also had a dream debut in the build-up to the group stage qualification.
Monetary value
Following the historic feat, Nairobi United earned a total of Ksh58.1 million as part of CAF prize money, with Ksh6.4 million for qualifying for the preliminary round and an additional Ksh51.7 million for reaching the group stage