The battle for the sole ticket to play in the CAF Confederations Cup will be settled today when Gor Mahia face Nairobi United in the FKF Cup final at Ulinzi Sports Complex from 3pm.
The match promises excitement and tension, with both teams having everything to play for — a national trophy and a place in continental football next season.
Nairobi United, the surprise package of this year’s tournament, are chasing history.
Nicholas Muyoti’s side has already earned promotion to the FKF Premier League and is now aiming to win the FKF Cup to complete a rare double. Along the way, they knocked out top-flight clubs and earned the title of “giant slayers”.
Their journey started with a 3-1 win over Global Connection before stunning Tusker FC in the round of 32. After a 1-1 draw, they won 5-4 in a penalty shootout. They repeated the same feat against KCB in the round of 16, winning 6-5 on penalties after a goalless draw.
In the quarterfinals, they produced a 2-0 win against Kakamega Homeboyz. The semifinals were tense, but Nairobi United beat Mara Sugar 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Now, the newly crowned FKF National Super League champions are one game away from matching Mathare United’s 1998 record of winning a national cup while still in the second tier and earning promotion to the top division.
“I am not afraid of Gor Mahia in any way,” said Nairobi United goalkeeper Ernest Mohammed.
“They are human and a football team just like us. We have played against big teams and won. We will express ourselves on the pitch.”
Gor Mahia, on the other hand, are seeking redemption after relinquishing the FKF Premier League title to Kenya Police FC. The FKF Cup is their last chance to win a trophy this season and return to continental football.
Their run to the final has been convincing. They began with a 3-0 win over KSG and then crushed GAS FC 5-0 in the round of 32. In the round of 16, they beat Bandari 2-0 and repeated the same scoreline against Kariobangi Sharks in the quarterfinals. The semifinals were tougher, as Gor drew 2-2 with Murang’a Seal and won 5-3 in the shootout.
Interim coach Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno praised Nairobi United’s efforts and warned his charges againts underestimating them.
“They deserve respect. They’ve eliminated Tusker, Kakamega Homeboyz, and Mara Sugar. This is not a team we can take lightly,” Zico said.
“We are both in the final, and we will treat them as equals.”
Before the final, Mara Sugar and Murang’a Seal will face off in the third-place playoff.