Mustapha Kizza spoke with the calm of a player who has been here before. On a quiet Sunday evening in Nairobi, moments after Nairobi United’s CAF Confederation Cup campaign ended, the Ugandan full back chose reflection over regret.
“It’s all about mentality,” Kizza said after the Kenyan side fell 1–0 to Wydad AC, undone by an 89th-minute strike from Wissam Ben Yedder.
“At this level, it’s about experience and effort. I try to help the team and push the other players because these moments teach you a lot.”
The late goal confirmed Nairobi United’s exit from the tournament. In their debut CAF Confederation Cup appearance, they finished bottom of Group B without a point from five matches. Wydad topped the group with 12 points, ahead of Manuela Union and Azam FC.
The numbers were harsh, but Kizza insisted the experience mattered more than the outcome. He pointed to the team’s attitude and the steady guidance from the technical bench as positives in a tough campaign.
“The coaches are always positive,” he said. “They are helping us improve. Tactically, we are learning, and that will help us in the future.”
Off the pitch, Kizza has settled quickly in Kenya and spoke warmly about the league and its environment.
“The reception has been good, the team, the people, everything,” he said. “The weather is like Uganda, so it was easy to adjust. I feel at home.”
He was also impressed by the league’s visibility. “There is good quality here, and the coverage is top. It helps players a lot. In a few years, I think this will be one of the best leagues in Africa.”
Kizza admitted Nairobi United were drawn into a demanding group and lacked the experience to consistently match established continental sides.
“We were in a group of top teams, and we fell short on experience,” he said. “But we gave our best.”
With continental football now behind them, focus shifts to the Kenya Premier League, where Nairobi United sit 10th on 25 points, 15 behind leaders Gor Mahia.
Balancing travel and league commitments has been draining, but Kizza believes the team will respond.
“We’ve taken the positives,” he said. “It’s not easy to mix Confederation matches, travel and the league, but we are ready. To the fans, I say: be ready. We are coming.”
For Kizza, one of four Ugandans at the club alongside Titus Ssematimba, Charles Waibi and Shafick ‘Gezo’ Ssebyala, the message was simple.
“I feel good. I feel at home,” he said. “Now it’s about performing and giving my team the best.”
Eliminated but wiser, Nairobi United’s continental journey is over but they hold hopes to return with a revamped squad.
