Mombasa United out to sink Sharks for FKF Premier League promotion

Speaking exclusively to Citizen Digital, Alamin said Mombasa United have the ability to overturn the situation and become the first National Super League side to win the promotion playoff.

“We have talked to Mombasa United management and they have assured us that they are ready. We hope they will defeat Kariobangi Sharks and restore residents’ plan to have two teams in the KPL next season.”

Alamin also praised the management of both clubs for agreeing to proceed with the playoff after weeks of uncertainty surrounding the promotion process.

He said the agreement was important for the progress of Kenyan football.

“In sportsmanlike spirit, you have to accept some results to break the dilemma. I am happy Sharks and United have come to that conclusion for the love of the game.”

He added:

“We have seen football growing under the helm of FKF President Hussein Mohammed and through President William Ruto’s initiatives to build more stadiums. We had no option but to come to a conclusion and let soccer win.”

Meanwhile, Mombasa United CEO Nick Aruga said the club had been placed in a difficult position before eventually agreeing to participate in the playoff.

“We had no option as a team. It was a difficult situation. We had put the love of the game first and come to terms with the situation.”

Aruga said prolonging the dispute could have had wider consequences for the Kenyan football calendar, particularly with the Africa Cup of Nations approaching.

“If the wrangles were continue, the earliest the league could start is January, meaning due to AFCON, the whole league could have been forfeited. We were two parties — one which doesn't care about the game and another one which felt they had been denied their direct promotion.”

He said the club held an urgent consultative meeting with its stakeholders before arriving at the decision to proceed with the playoff.

“We had a consultative and urgent meeting before coming up with the decision. We made calls to all our stakeholders and finally settled for the playoffs.”

Aruga said Mombasa United are now focused on the task ahead and will give their best over the two legs.

“The whole team is ready to fight to the end and we pray that God will give us victory and confirm our position in the KPL.”

The first leg will be played in Mombasa on October 1, with the return leg scheduled for Nairobi on October 6.

The winner over the two legs will secure a place in the FKF Premier League for the 2026/27 season.