Omonia Nicosia eliminated from Champions League qualifiers by Kairat Almaty

Omonia Nicosia has been eliminated from the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League following a defeat against Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan on July 29, 2026. After a 1-0 result in favor of the hosts during regulation and extra time—matching the aggregate score—the match was decided by a penalty shootout, which Kairat won 6-5. Omonia played most of the match with a numerical disadvantage, as Kakoullis was shown a straight red card in the 25th minute, and Coulibaly was sent off in the 111th minute.

Manager Henning Berg expressed disappointment regarding the officiating and the team's lack of disciplinary control, noting that playing with ten men for significant portions of both legs hindered their progression. Despite the loss, the Cypriot club's European campaign continues in the third qualifying round of the Europa League, where they are scheduled to face Lincoln Red Imps from Gibraltar. The first leg will take place on August 6, 2026, in Gibraltar, followed by the return leg on August 13 at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia.