Nairobi United’s growing influence in Kenyan football was on full display as five of the club’s players played a key role in Kenya’s dramatic qualification for the second round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations U23 qualifiers.

The Emerging Stars survived a major scare in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday night, losing 3-1 to Tanzania but advancing 5-4 on aggregate after their emphatic 4-1 victory in the first leg in Nairobi.

Four Nairobi United players — Awiko, Joseph Bate, Kevin Wangaya and Duncan Omalla — started the return leg, further underlining the club’s growing contribution to the national team.

And once again, it was Wangaya who caught the eye.

After scoring in the first leg at Nyayo Stadium, the Nairobi United midfielder was directly involved in Kenya’s crucial away goal in Tanzania.

With Kenya trailing and under intense pressure, Wangaya provided the delivery from a short corner before Andreas Odhiambo finished to give Kenya a vital lifeline.

Although Tanzania went on to win the match 3-1, Kenya’s first-leg advantage proved enough to send the Emerging Stars through.

Wangaya leads the Naibois charge

Wangaya has arguably been Nairobi United’s standout performer across the two legs.

The midfielder scored and provided assists in Kenya’s 4-1 demolition of Tanzania in the first leg before producing another important contribution in the return fixture.

His performances have further strengthened his growing reputation as one of the exciting young players emerging from the Nairobi United setup.

The club’s influence, however, went beyond Wangaya.

Awiko and Bate both started the first leg, with Syphas Owuor coming on in the second half to take the number of Nairobi United players on the pitch to four.

Five players from the club were therefore involved across the two matches — a significant representation for a club that continues to establish itself as an important pathway for young Kenyan talent.

From Nairobi United to the national stage

The Emerging Stars’ qualification is another important step in the development of the players, but it is also a major endorsement of the work being done at Nairobi United.

The Naibois have increasingly become a club where young players can develop, compete at a high level and earn opportunities to represent Kenya.

The Tanzania tie offered the latest evidence.

Four Nairobi United players were trusted to start the decisive second leg, while Wangaya once again delivered when Kenya needed him most.

For a club whose ambitions extend beyond domestic football, having five players involved in a major international U23 qualifier is a significant milestone.

Kenya will now face Côte d’Ivoire in the second round, with a place in the next stage of the U23 AFCON qualification campaign at stake.

For Nairobi United, attention will also turn to the next generation waiting for their opportunity.

If Wangaya, Awiko, Bate, Omalla and Syphas are anything to go by, the Naibois could have an increasingly important role to play in supplying talent to Kenya’s national teams.

The Naibois are not just building a club. They are increasingly becoming part of the national-team story.

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