Mombasa United, Stars brace for do-or-die NSL season closing ties

The National Super League (NSL) season wraps up this Saturday, but the fight for survival is far from over – with all eyes are on coastal rivals Mombasa United and Mombasa Stars, who are locked in a nerve-wracking battle to avoid relegation.

With just one point separating the two, and only one team set to survive, emotions are running high in Mombasa ahead of the most critical 90 minutes of their season.

Currently, United hold 16th place with 34 points, while Stars trail closely behind with 33 in 17th. With Muhoroni Youth and SS Assad already relegated, only one spot remains in next season’s NSL – and only one of these two Mombasa sides will claim it.

Mombasa Stars will have home advantage at Serani Grounds, where they host mid-table Samwest Blackboots. At the same time, Mombasa United travel to Ukunda for a tricky clash against Kibera Black Stars.

Stars Head Coach Hussein Madaga has expressed his confidence ahead of the crucial tie.

“We’ve won three and drawn one of our last four. We’re mentally and physically ready. This season has been rough financially, but we’re determined to finish on a high. We don’t deserve to go down,” Madaga noted.

Team captain Samson Karisa echoed the coach’s optimism, saying they are motivated for a win.

“We’re highly motivated and ready to fight. We’ve trained well, and we believe this is our moment. Inshallah, we’ll get the win.”

It’s a simple but cruel equation: If Mombasa United win, Stars go down – regardless of their result. If United lose or draw and Stars win, then Stars survive and United are relegated.

Despite a rough spell of form, United Team Manager Gilbert Wesonga is not throwing in the towel.

“We believe in a positive result. We’ve made technical changes we hope will spark a turnaround. If we stay up, we’ll recruit aggressively and go for promotion next season.”

At the top of the table, Nairobi United have already sealed the championship, while APS Bomet clinched the second automatic promotion spot to the Kenya Premier League (KPL).

Now, the focus shifts to the battle for the third-place playoff spot, where Darajani Gogo, Naivas FC and Fortune Sacco remain in contention.