The eighth round of the 2025/26 season of Kenya’s second-tier club football competition, the FKF National Super League, was played this past weekend amid major structural shifts, setting the stage for one of the most competitive campaigns the league has seen in recent memory.
With FKF scrapping the promotion and relegation play-offs, the top three teams will now earn automatic promotion to the Premier League. This bold change raises the stakes across the division; no club can depend on a last-minute miracle anymore, and consistency over the entire season becomes the true test of ambition.
Among the clubs attracting early attention is Kabati Youth FC. Freshly promoted and full of belief, the squad under coach Joel Mungai has made its intentions clear. “We shall shock many people,” Mungai declared, revealing their target of reaching the Premier League within two seasons. With a youthful squad averaging just 23 years, Kabati Youth’s energy, speed, and hunger could unsettle more experienced NSL sides and make them one of the season’s surprise packages.
Financial muscle is expected to heavily influence the title contest. Betting firm Mozzart has injected KES 18 million into three NSL sides – 3K FC, Migori Youth, and Kisumu All Stars – significantly strengthening their squad depth and morale. Backing of this scale often translates into a competitive advantage, making these three teams automatic contenders for promotion.
Last season’s champions, Nairobi United, have already secured their Premier League slot, opening up space for a new order in the division. Their absence leaves the NSL wide open for ambitious teams ready to fight for glory. But at the other end of the table, the pressure is just as intense: with four teams set to drop to Division One, even a minor slip early in the campaign could have devastating consequences.
Amid all this competition, several players are already emerging as potential season-defining figures. Nzoia Sugar’s Felix Seda made one of the brightest starts, coming off the bench to score two goals in a 2–1 win while earning praise as a “fantastic player” and a sharp finisher. Migori Youth boasts a dangerous attacking partnership in Elvis Wafula – who scored a decisive winner against MCF – and Syphas Otieno, both already highlighted as an in-form duo capable of carrying Migori’s promotion hopes.
Kabati Youth also features key individuals who could steer their historic first NSL campaign. Captain Kelvin Salah, the calm and commanding defensive leader who guided them through Division One, will be crucial in stabilising the backline. Alongside him is Devo, the clutch performer who scored the promotion-sealing penalty—an indicator of the composure he brings to high-pressure moments.
With youthful ambition at Kabati Youth, financial momentum behind 3K FC and Migori Youth, and standout talent emerging across the league, the 2025/26 NSL season promises a fierce, unpredictable battle on all fronts. Promotion, survival, and individual brilliance will define a campaign that already feels like a turning point for Kenya’s second-tier football.
