Nairobi United drawn with Wydad Casablanca in historic CAF Confederation Cup group stage

Nairobi United players pose for a team photo ahead of a previous match. (Photo: Nairobi United)

By Bashir Mbuthia
Monday, November 3, 2025

Nairobi United become the first Kenyan club to reach the CAF Confederation Cup group stage, drawn alongside Wydad Casablanca, Azam FC, and AS Maniema in a challenging Group B.

Nairobi United face a challenging start in their maiden CAF Confederation Cup campaign after being drawn in Group B alongside Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca, Tanzania's Azam FC, and AS Maniema from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The draw for the 2025/26 competition was held in South Africa on Monday and featured the 16 clubs that advanced through the qualifying rounds played in September and October.

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Nairobi United made history as the first Kenyan club to reach the group stage of the competition in their debut appearance, securing their spot after an impressive qualification run.

The team progressed past Uganda's NEC FC on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate score in the first round. They then knocked out two-time CAF Confederation Cup champions Etoile Sportive du Sahel of Tunisia 7-6 on penalties in the second round, following a 2-2 aggregate tie after the Tunisians had won 2-0 in Sousse on October 24.

"The stage is set; let the continental journey continue!" said The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in a statement on X after the draw.

Other groups

In the other groups, defending champions USM Alger of Algeria headline Group A, joined by Djoliba AC from Mali, Morocco's Olympique Club de Safi, and FC San Pedro from Côte d'Ivoire.

Group C features CR Belouizdad of Algeria, Stellenbosch FC of South Africa, AS Otoho from Congo, and Tanzania's Singida Black Stars. Meanwhile, Group D will see Egyptian heavyweights Zamalek and Al Masry face off alongside South Africa's Kaizer Chiefs and Zambia's ZESCO United.

"There will be an Egyptian Derby in the Group Stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 after Zamalek and Al Masry were paired together when the draw was conducted," said CAF in a statement.

"Zamalek, who lifted the trophy in the 2023/24 season, will face familiar opponents in Group D, along with South African giants Kaizer Chiefs and Zambian outfit ZESCO United in what looks a tough pool."

The group stages will kick off on the weekend of 21-23 November, with two rounds played ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. Fixtures will resume on the weekend of 23-25 January.

"The winners of this year's title will take home USD 2-million (Sh258.3 million) in prize money with the runners-up to receive USD 1-million (Sh129.2 million)," said CAF.

"The teams that advance from the group are guaranteed a minimum of USD 550,000 (Sh71 million) while the teams that finish third and fourth in their pool receive USD 400,000 (Sh51.7 million)."