Shami Kibwana was the hero as Nairobi United came from behind to hold Uganda's NEC to a 2-2 draw in their first round, first leg CAF Confederations Cup tie in Nakivubo, Kampala Saturday night.
Taking part in their first ever continental showing, Nairobi United took the lead on 25 minutes, against the run of play, as smart movement saw Paul Machaka get on the scoresheet with a neat finish past Benjamin Ochan in the NEC goal, and hand Nairobi United the lead, to the acceptance of their loud travelling support.
Their lead would last until the 80th minute, when Cromwell Rwothomio headed home from a freekick to hand the home side parity after periods of sustained pressure, and make it 1-1 on the night. The home side would take the lead on 89 minutes, Paul Mucureezi slotting home a penalty to hand the home team the lead, to the shock and dismay of the travelling support from Nairobi.
Kibwana though, would rescue the Nai Boys and in the event, pick up a valuable draw as they head back to Nairobi next week for the return leg clash on Saturday 27 September 2025.
Elsewhere, Malawi’s Mighty Wanderers stunned Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy late on, while Congo’s AS Otohô earned one of the day’s most valuable results with an away win at Primeiro de Agosto.
Elsewhere there were tight margins across the board, setting up a tense set of return fixtures next weekend.
In Kumasi, Kotoko and Kwara traded punches in a compelling, end-to-end contest. Emmanuel Antwi’s neat finish gave the hosts an early lead before Johnmark Atule levelled with a crisp strike.
Albert Amoah restored Kotoko’s advantage on the stroke of half-time, only for Atule to equalise again deep into first-half stoppage time.
The Porcupine Warriors came out aggressively after the interval: James Ablorh thumped in a third and Amoah converted a penalty to put daylight between the sides.
Kwara, who never accepted their fate, pulled one back through Abdul Raheem Shola with five minutes left to keep the tie alive, but Kotoko carried a one-goal cushion to Nigeria.
Blantyre delivered another headline. Mighty Wanderers, backed by a raucous home crowd, kept their poise against seasoned continental campaigners Jwaneng Galaxy and nicked a 1–0 win courtesy of Felix Zulu’s late strike.
Galaxy enjoyed long spells of possession but met a disciplined defensive block; the Malawians now take a slender lead to Botswana knowing an away goal could be decisive.
There was a prized away success in Luanda, where AS Otohô defeated Primeiro de Agosto 2–1. The Congolese champions were compact and ruthless on transition, twice punishing openings to flip the tie in their favour. Agosto, who had pressed for long periods, are still firmly in it, but must find extra precision in Congo Brazzaville.
Djibouti’s Port thought they had done enough when they struck first, only for Zanzibar’s KMKM to turn the game around for a 2–1 away victory. It was a performance built on resilience: the visitors weathered pressure, equalised with a fine counter and then pinched the winner from a set-piece to tilt the tie their way before the return in Unguja.
In Nigeria, Abia Warriors were within touching distance of a statement win against Djoliba but conceded an 88th-minute equaliser in a 1–1 draw. Emmanuel Obioma’s first-half goal had rewarded the Warriors’ bright start; Djoliba’s late response reflected their experience at this level and means the Malian side return to Bamako level and confident.
Liberia’s Black Man Warrior and Benin’s Coton FC played out a goalless draw that offered precious little between the teams. Chances were at a premium in a tight, physical encounter; both coaches will feel a single moment in next week’s second leg could swing the tie.
In Dakar, Génération Foot and Côte d’Ivoire’s Académie de FAD shared the spoils 1–1. The Senegalese academy side pressed high and took a deserved lead, but FAD grew into the contest and forced parity after the break. With neither side quite able to find a decisive second, the balance remains delicate ahead of the Abidjan return.
Somalia’s Dekedda made home advantage count with a narrow 1–0 win over Sudanese visitors Zamala Ruwaba. A tidy finish midway through the second half separated the teams after a hard-fought battle in Mogadishu, leaving Dekedda with something to protect on the road.
Second legs take place next weekend. With away goals and aggregate scores to settle, several ties feel poised for late drama as clubs chase a place in October’s second preliminary round—and the route to November’s group stage.
