CAF Confederation Cup (Preliminary round) | 1st Leg:
- NEC (Uganda) 2-2 Nairobi United (Kenya)
NEC Football Club and Nairobi United played to a 2-all draw during the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round at the Hamz stadium on Saturday, 20th September 2025, under floodlights.
Cromwell Rwothomio and Paul Mucureezi scored for NEC whilst Enock Machaka and Mwinyi Kibwana’s last minute gasp equalizer rescued the visitors to earn a point.
Nairobi United took the first half lead through Machaka, against the run of play in the 28th minute.
After a long throw-in by Dancan Olouch from the left flank, Machaka was totally unmarked at the back to tap the ball into the net past goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan for the opener.
NEC rallying to make amends when Cromwell Rwothomio headed home in the 78th minute following a free-kick delivery by Mustafa Kizza on the right wing.
Kizza had replaced Gideon Odongo during the start of the second stanza at left back.
Mucureezi, another second half substitute scored a penalty on 90 minutes; and victory surely looked destined for the Ugandan representatives.
Inside the final added minute, substitute Kibwana raced onto a high ball and finished past the advancing goalkeeper Ochan for the equalizer that broke the hearts of many NEC players, officials and fans alike.
Inside the opening 7 minutes of the game, NEC had opened brilliantly; pressing the opposition to win three corner-kicks that witnessed one cleared off the line by skipper John Onyango.
Charo Majaliwa, an inverted left footed winger deployed on the right wing had the first attempt towards the NEC goal, shooting off target from distance
Towards the quarter hour mark, Joseph Sseremba shot off target inside the goal area for another NEC threat.
Industrious James Jarieko also shot over from about 35 yards moments later.
On the 22nd minute mark, Charles Waibi (NEC) was on target but the goalkeeper Kevin Odour.
Moments later, Jarieko had a weak chip well collected by goalkeeper Odour.
Defender Warren Buule headed out an inviting free-kick off right back Geriga Atendele in the 25th minute.
The visitors broke the deadlock when tapped home from inside the goal area following a long throw-in delivery by Dan Olouch.
After the opening half hour, play was halted to allow the NEC medical team attend to Jarieko who had a head injury as he was bandaged.
NEC technical team pulled out midfielder Sseremba for Titus Ssematimba in the 37th minute.
Odongo had a corner kick well defended by Lennox Oguttu and Nairobi United goalkeeper Odour tamed Charles Waibi before the first half’s only caution to Odongo for malicious play towards forward Frank Ouya.
The second half returned with a double change for NEC. Odongo and Jarieko paved way for Kizza and Mucureezi respectively.
Majaliwa tested goalkeeper Ochan in Nairobi United’s first attempt of the final stanza.
NEC swiftly reacted with a shot off target by defender Buule.
Majaliwa was replaced by Isaac Omoke on 57 minutes before NEC introduced forward Ronald Innocent for Emmanuel Kulanga.
On the hour mark, left back Kizza executed a free-kick that was well defended.
NEC continued to pile pressure in numbers. Yusuf Nasri Mainge got cautioned after fouling Kizza but the resultant free-kick was blocked for a corner-kick that Mucureezi took; only for defender Buule to head over.
The pressure paid off when Rwothomio headed into the net Kizza’s free-kick in the 78th minute.
With 10 minutes to play, veteran midfielder Muzamiru Mutyaba was introduced for Jarieko
NEC took the lead through Mucureezi’s penalty on the stroke of full time but Nairobi United had the last laugh with Kibwana’s last minute gasp equalizer well celebrated when Eritrean Teklu Mogos Tsegay blew the full-time whistle.
The two clubs meet for the second leg in Nairobi next weekend.
Team Line ups:
NEC Football Club XI: Benjamin Ochan (G.K, Captain), Geriga Atendele, Gideon Odongo, Jacob Okao, Warren Buule, Siraje Sentamu, Charles Waibi, Joseph Seremba, James Jarieko, Emmanuel Kulanga, Cromwel Rwothomio
Subs: Hannington Ssebwalunyo (G.K), Ibrahim Kiyemba, Mustafa Kizza, Shamir Kimwero, Paul Mucureezi, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Joseph Dhata Stephen Lujang, Titus Ssematimba, Ronald Innocent
- Head coach: Hussein Mbalangu
Nairobi United XI: Kevin Odour (G.K), Yusuf Nasri Mainge, John Onyango (Captain), Frank Ouya, Bernard Ouma, Charo Majaliwa, Kevin Otiende, Lesley Owino, Dancan Oluoch, Lennox Ogutu, Enock Machaka
Subs: Benard Oyure (G.K), Isaac Omoke, Kibwana Mwinyi, Brian Mogire, Prince Buregeya, Michael Karamor, Chris Opondo, Shafic Ssebyala
- Head coach: Salim Ali Ramadhan Gadhiyaka
Match officials:
- Referee: Teklu Mogos Tsegay (Eritrea)
- 1st Assistant Referee: Hagos Teklegeris Ghebreab (Eritrea)
- 2nd Assistant Referee: Yohannes Tewelde Gebreslaise (Eritrea)
- Fourth official: Solomon Okwera Lino Lokudo (South Sudan)
- Commissioner: Sebit Librato Begi Rassa (South Sudan)
