Mombasa United players enter the pitch during their game against Gucha Stars at Cardinal Otunga High School Mosocho/ANGWENYI GICHANAMombasa United returned to winning form with a narrow 2-1 victory over Nairobi City Stars on Sunday as the National Super League (NSL) promotion race continues to heat up.
The result marked the first win for new head coach Peter Okidi, who has now overseen three matches since taking charge of the coastal side.
Okidi began his tenure with a goalless draw against Migori United before guiding the team to a 3-0 win over FC Talanta last weekend, prior to Sunday’s hard-fought victory.
Fidel Mabea proved decisive, scoring a controversial penalty before adding a second goal to put Mombasa United in control. Alvine Angira pulled one back for City Stars, but it proved only a consolation in a match played at the Mombasa Sports Club.
The result lifted Mombasa United to 68 points, level with both 3K FC and Migori Youth, although Migori Youth’s match against Fortune Sacco was still ongoing at the time of reporting.
Okidi said his side remains firmly in the title race.
“It was a good but hard-fought win for the team,” said Okidi, a former Shabana coach.
Mombasa United now travel to Taita Taveta next Saturday to face relegation-threatened Mwatate United.
Elsewhere, Equity Bank’s promotion hopes suffered a setback after a goalless draw with former FKF Premier League side Kisumu All Stars at Mashuru Sports Complex in Kajiado County.
The result left Equity Bank fourth on the table with 64 points from 33 matches. Only the top three teams will earn promotion to the SportPesa League for the 2026/27 season.
With five matches remaining, 3K FC, Migori Youth and Mombasa United remain favourites for the automatic promotion slots.
At Mumboha Grounds in Vihiga, Mwatate United’s relegation worries deepened after a 2-0 defeat to hosts Luanda Villa.
Meanwhile, Mully Children’s Family (MCF) kept their survival hopes alive with a narrow 1-0 win over former FKF Premier League side Nzoia Sugar at MCF Complex in Ndalani, Machakos County.
At the bottom of the table, Vihiga United boosted their survival chances with a 1-0 victory over Soy United.
