Nairobi United is on the brink of a huge financial windfall as they head into their decisive CAF Confederation Cup qualifier against Étoile Sportive du Sahel in Tunis.
The team, which is backed by the Johnson Sakaja Foundation, is set to pocket Ksh51 million (USD 400,000) if it manages to make it to the lucrative group stage of the continental tournament.
Currently, Nairobi United carries a 2-0 advantage from the first leg and only needs to draw in Tunis to qualify for the group stage.
If they succeed, Nairobi United will become the first Kenyan club to reach the CAF Confederation Cup group stage since Kenya Premier League giants Gor Mahia did in 2018.
According to CAF's prize money structure, a place in the group stage comes with a windfall of Ksh51 million, and for a relatively new club like Nairobi United, it would represent a record payday and a huge morale boost for the club.
For reaching the preliminary rounds, the club secured USD50,000 (around Ksh6.7 million), with the new policy being part of a wider plan by CAF President Patrice Motsepe to provide more financial assistance to clubs taking part in the early stages of continental competitions.
This was not the case in the past, as teams had to reach the group stage before receiving any money. The previous system strained many clubs due to high travel and logistical costs.
Nairobi United qualified for the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup by winning the 2024/25 FKF Cup, which is also known as the Mozzart Bet Cup, in what was a remarkable achievement since they became the first lower-division club to lift the domestic cup since Sofapaka in 2007.
CAF preliminary rounds have been running since mid-August, with clubs including Nairobi United competing for limited group stage slots.
If Nairobi United make it to the group stages, they will be in the same competition alongside other African footballing giants like Simba SC (Tanzania), CS Sfaxien (Tunisia), CS Constantine (Algeria), Zamalek SC (Egypt), Al Masry SC (Egypt), Enyimba FC (Nigeria), and Black Bulls (Mozambique), among others.
Winners of the competition will pocket Ksh258,400,000 (USD 2,000,000), while runners-up are set to bag Ksh129,200,000 (USD 1,000,000).
Besides the Ksh51 million in the group stage, Nairobi United will be entitled to a further Ksh71,060,000 (USD 550,000) if they get to the quarter finals.
