It was a sombre weekend across the country as Kenya came to a standstill to mourn the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, a passionate football supporter whose love for the game touched every corner of our sporting community. With local league fixtures postponed to allow for his state burial, the focus shifted to continental assignments where two Kenyan clubs carried the flag in CAF competitions.
On Friday, our league champions Police FC were stunned 1–0 by Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League. The match, played behind closed doors at the Police Sacco Stadium, had to be moved there after both Nyayo and Kasarani were taken up by state functions,Nyayo hosting the funeral service and Kasarani used for public viewing of Baba’s body.
Adama Coulibali’s goal was the difference in a tightly contested match that saw the visitors hold firm to secure a crucial advantage. The result means the law enforcers must overturn the deficit in the return leg next Friday, October 24, in Omdurman to reach the Champions League group stage.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Nairobi United gave Kenyans something to smile about with a memorable 2–0 win over Tunisian giants Étoile du Sahel at Ulinzi Complex. Playing behind closed doors as well, the city side showed character and composure in front of goal.
Ovella Ochieng broke the deadlock in the 37th minute and dedicated his goal to Raila Odinga in a heartfelt moment that summed up the emotions of the day.
Duncan Omala then doubled the lead seven minutes after halftime to hand Nairobi United a commanding first-leg advantage.
The match also reunited familiar faces, as former Gor Mahia defender Alphonse Omija now turning out for Étoile du Sahel, came up against his Harambee Stars teammate and friend Manzur Okwaro, who marshalled the Nairobi United defence.
Both matches began with a minute of silence in honour of Raila Odinga, whose influence extended beyond politics to the very heartbeat of Kenyan football.
The return legs are set for later this month, with Police FC facing Al Hilal on October 24 in Libya, while Nairobi United will travel to Sousse for their second leg against Étoile du Sahel on October 26.
