Dancan Omala was the hero for Nairobi United on Saturday afternoon, as his second-half equalizer secured a 1–1 draw against NEC FC of Uganda, sealing passage to the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup on the away goals rule following a 3–3 aggregate scoreline.

Played under intense pressure at home, Nairobi United had to dig deep after trailing 1–0 at halftime, with NEC looking the sharper side in the early exchanges.

The visitors showed their intent from the start, producing five minutes of high-tempo football with quick interchanges that tested Nairobi United’s backline. In the 7th minute, NEC’s Ssatimba unleashed a fierce shot from inside the box, but United goalkeeper Kevin Oduor was equal to the task, stretching full length to parry it away.

Oduor was again called into action in the 16th minute, denying NEC from close range and keeping the tie alive. However, a blunder from the keeper in the 24th minute nearly proved costly when he lost the ball under pressure, only to be spared as the NEC winger failed to convert the gift, looping the ball over the bar.

Two minutes later, the pressure finally told. From a well-taken corner, NEC’s lively winger Waibi struck a sensational left-footed shot into the net — a stunning effort that gave NEC the lead and silenced the Nairobi crowd.

An early injury forced NEC into a substitution in the 34th minute, with Media making way for Jersey. Despite a few half-chances, including a wasted free kick by Nairobi United in the 41st minute, the hosts went into the break trailing 1–0.

Coach adjustments came immediately after the restart as Nairobi United introduced three fresh legs : Karamor, Magare, and Shami ; for Frank, Bena, and Lesley in the 48th minute.

The changes brought renewed energy, and in the 65th minute, Nairobi United finally found their breakthrough. A determined attacking move was finished off by Dancan Omala, whose calm and clinical strike leveled the score at 1–1. That goal proved decisive, giving United the away goal advantage after a 2–2 draw in the first leg in Kampala.

NEC responded with substitutions of their own, bringing on Mucureezi and Odongo in the 66th minute, followed by Kavuma for Waibi ten minutes later. Omala, having played his part, was withdrawn in the 67th minute for Ogutu as Nairobi United looked to manage the game.

Despite five minutes of added time, neither side could break the deadlock again. The match ended 1–1, but it was Nairobi United celebrating at the final whistle — progressing to the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup on away goals, after a dramatic 3–3 tie across both legs.

They will now turn their attention to the next challenge: a two-legged tie against either Étoile Sportive du Sahel of Tunisia or Al Ahli Madani of Sudan. With confidence high and belief growing, Nairobi United now stand just one step away from the prestigious group stage of continental football.