Nairobi United technical director Salim Ali understands that his side still has a tough task on its hand as he prepares for the return leg second round preliminary clash with Etoile Sportive Du Sahel.
The Naibois pulled off a fantastic 2-0 success over the Tunisian heavyweights at the Ulinzi Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday, a shock win for all involved, especially considering that this is their first ever involvement in continental play.
A goal in either half courtesy of Ovella Ochieng and John Otieno ensured the newly promoted Premier League side will travel to Tunis for the return leg at Stade Olympique de Sousse on Sunday, October 26th, carrying a healthy advantage and perfect chance to reach the group stages of the competition.
Kenyans clubs have always struggled when pitted against North African opponents in CAF competitions including the Champions League, and even failing to progress beyond either the first or the second preliminary round matches for a ticket in the group stages.
Ali is hoping to change that this time.
“I think we are not chasing history, if we can have a very good match in Tunis next week, then I believe history will come by itself,” Ali told Flashscore after the game.
“We wanted to have a different match (from the previous two CAF matches against NEC), we wanted to use a different approach, and I believe if the players can keep the same morale, the same commitment, we will qualify for the group stages, and then again history will come back to Kenya.”
Only two Kenyan sides have previously qualified for the group stages of the Confederation Cup. Gor Mahia and Sofapaka. Nairobi United will be hoping to be the third.
On whether he will deploy a defensive approach to protect the 2-0 advantage in Tunis, Ali agreed that the defensive part of the game will be important.
“We will play the same way we played at home, but on top of that, we will have to be very cautious, we can attack and at the end of the day, we have a mentality of defending again.
“So, we will try as much as possible to combine a very good team that can work on such tactics, because tactics, is now the key thing in away matches.”
