NSL finally set for kick off after two-week delay

After two weeks of uncertainty caused by a promotion dispute lodged by Gucha Stars, the wait is finally over.

The 2025/26 FKF National Super League (NSL) season will officially get underway on Saturday, 27 September, bringing an end to the delays that pushed the opening weekend from the initial date of 13 September.

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The spotlight will be on Mully Children’s Family (MCF), who host Mombasa United at the MCF Complex in Ndalani, in what promises to be a captivating curtain-raiser to the new campaign.

This marks MCF’s fifth straight season in the second-tier league.

Under head coach Vincent Nyaberi, the Ndalani-based side is determined to build on last year’s mid-table finish and push closer to the coveted FKF Premier League promotion slots.

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Last season, MCF put up a spirited fight, collecting 44 points to finish 11th, though they fell 18 points short of the promotion play-off positions.

Learning from that experience, the club has reshaped its squad with a mixture of youthful energy and seasoned campaigners.

Among the headline arrivals is forward Erick Michubu from Bidco United and versatile defender Yusuf Mohammed, who previously turned out for AFC Leopards, Kakamega Homeboyz, Sony Sugar, and Muhoroni Youth.

Veteran midfielder Festus Omukoto, once a regular in the topflight, returns to competitive action after serving a lengthy ban linked to alleged match-fixing scandals.

Coach Nyaberi has also bolstered his attack with Awita Batts from Migori Youth and defender Brian Ochieng from Shabana FC.

Other new recruits include Larry Odhiambo (3K FC), goalkeeper Jesse Inanga (Terror Squad), Kendrick Onzere (Samwest), Kevin Ouma (Manyatta FC), Murimi Murimi (Awakening Lions), goalkeeper Brian Omondi (Mara Sugar), Joseph Odongo (Samwest), John Mwita (Murang’a Seal), and John Mumbua (Matuu Heroes).

For their part, Mombasa United begin the season with renewed ambition.

Last campaign, the coastal side struggled for consistency, finishing 16th with 37 points, and found themselves perilously close to the relegation scrap.

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Determined to avoid a repeat, the club has turned to the experience of veteran tactician Gilbert Selebwa, a former AFC Leopards coach, to steady the ship and chart a path toward the topflight.

United has been one of the most active clubs in the transfer market, sealing the signatures of several experienced players.

Among the notable additions are former Tusker, Sofapaka, and Muhoroni Youth midfielder Kevin Okoth, striker Nehemiah Onchiri from Shabana FC, and goalkeeper Richard Bacha from Luanda Villa.

They have also roped in Austin Nyagol, Felix Otieno, Mwinyi Mwajao, Denis Mwabea, Hakim Msami, James Owino, Neville Etabale, Duke Ombeta, Abdalla Mdeka, Juma Mwajao, Abdulrahman Said, Abdulrahman Ahmed, and Joel Kihara as they look to blend youthful energy with experience.

The fixture also carries a budding rivalry.

This will be the third meeting between the two sides, following last season’s encounters in which MCF won the first match 3-0 before settling for a 0-0 draw in the return fixture.

With new faces on both sides and promotion ambitions alive, Saturday’s clash sets the stage for an exciting season ahead.

For MCF, the challenge is to transform consistency into a promotion push.

For Mombasa United, it is about proving that lessons from last season have been learned, and that survival battles will no longer define their campaign.

After weeks of delay and off-field drama, the NSL finally returns. And with it, the dreams, struggles, and ambitions of clubs chasing a ticket to the FKF Premier League come sharply into focus.