- Gor Mahia vs Nairobi United will be facing each other in the 24/25 Football Kenya Federation Cup (FKF Cup) final on Sunday, June 29, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
- The match is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 PM EAT.
- This will mark the first-ever final between the two teams, as both will not only be seeking the championship but also a ticket to represent the country in the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup.
A mouthwatering fixture awaits as National Super League champions Nairobi United and record-holding Kenya Premier League champions Gor Mahia take the center stage in the 24/25 Football Kenya Federation Cup (FKF Cup) this Sunday, June 29, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
This encounter, set to kick off at 3:00 PM EAT, will mark the first-ever final between the two teams as both not only will be seeking the championship but also a ticket to represent the country in the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup.
For Gor Mahia, they desperately need the FKF Cup to redeem what has been a disappointing season where they squandered the top-flight championship.
They failed to defend the title for a third consecutive time, allowing Kenya Police FC to seize it for the first time.
They enter this encounter as the favorites, eyeing a 12th title. The last time they lifted the cup was in 2021 when they overpowered AFC Leopards 4-1 via penalty shootouts.
Despite their unsettled season in the league, their Cup journey has been impressive since they kicked off in the round of 64 with a 3-0 win against Kenya School of Government FC.
They then faced Githurai AllStars and won 5-0. In the Round of 16, they beat Bandari FC 2-0 before taking on Kariobangi Sharks, winning by the same scoreline.
In the semifinals, they edged out Murang’a SEAL 5-3 in post-match penalties after a 2-2 draw.
Although considered the front-runners, Nairobi United led by Nicholas Muyoti, are no underdogs or pushover side.
In addition to being crowned NSL Champions, they also earned promotion to the top-flight next season, where they will join Gor Mahia.
Their FKF Cup journey has been nothing short of a fairytale, having met some of the most formidable sides and managed to overcome them.
In the round of 32, they faced Tusker FC, whom they defeated 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
In the last 16, they edged out KCB 6-5, also on penalties after a goalless draw.
ALSO READ: Gor Mahia captain explains what winning the FKF Cup means to the team
They then met Kakamega Homeboyz in the quarterfinals and beat them 2-0 before taking on Mara Sugar in the semifinals, securing a 3-1 win via spot-kicks.
As a result, their impressive run will certainly make Gor Mahia sweat in this matchup as United also chase double glory and their maiden ticket to the continental stage.
They will aim to emulate Mathare United, who in 1998 won the Moi Golden Cup as a second-tier team and earned promotion to the top tier in the same season.
Zico and captain Philemon Otieno emphasize the importance of winning the FKF Cup
Speaking ahead of the match, Gor Mahia interim coach Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno stated that the players are highly motivated for the Cup and are fully focused on winning it to secure continental action next season.
I think so far the preparations have gone the way we had planned for, and being the final day today, I think the motivation in the camp is so high, and everybody is looking forward to our match tomorrow. It is an opportunity for the players and the club to at least play in the continental championship, and that is what is motivating us as a team,” Zico stated.
This is a must-win situation for us. It is a final and you do not have any room for errors. I think our players are well aware and professional enough to go and do a good job tomorrow. We know what is at stake, and we have planned as a team what we are supposed to do in this match.”
Meanwhile, Gor Mahia captain Philemon Otieno emphasized that they must win the Cup and give the fans something to cheer about after a disappointing league season.
Our fans deserve better because their expectation was for us to win both cups (the Premier League and FKF Cup). Now that Police have already won the league, we have to put up a strong fight on Sunday so we can make our fans happy,” Otieno explained ahead of the match.
This game means a lot to me and my teammates because we are used to becoming champions every season. I think this is our last hope this season, and as one of the most senior players in the team, I have to keep pushing the boys and make sure we give our best over the weekend,” he added.
The NaiBois head coach Nicholas Muyoti stated that this is a must-win Cup as the boys are determined to clinch it and qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup.
Playing continental football has been the ultimate dream for most of them. The only way for us to do that next season is to win the Cup. So why not go all the way? They know how much continental football means to each individual player in terms of exposure and just playing at the highest level,” Muyoti said in the interview with Telecomasia.
Sibling rivalry, golden boot race, and legacy at stake in historic first meeting
Both teams have not reported any injuries, but a much-anticipated showdown will see two brothers face off – Benson Ochieng Omalla for Gor Mahia, against his younger sibling Dancun Omalla, who features for Nairobi United.
The Golden Boot race is also up for grabs, with Gor Mahia’s Alpha Onyango (four) needing just two goals to overtake Shabana’s Brian Michira, who leads with five.
These two teams have never met before in top-flight competition; therefore, both will be looking to etch their legacy.
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Third-place playoff: Mara Sugar vs Murang’a SEAL
Ahead of the final, Mara Sugar and Murang’a SEAL will battle it out at 12:00 noon in the third-place playoff, with pride and a podium finish on the line. Both sides showed great character in the tournament and will be eager to cap off their Cup runs with a victory.
Gor Mahia’s road to the FKF Cup final
- Round of 64: Gor Mahia 3-0 Kenya School of Government FC
- Round of 32: Gor Mahia 5-0 Githurai AllStars
- Round of 16: Gor Mahia 2-0 Bandari FC
- Quarterfinals: Gor Mahia 2-0 Kariobangi Sharks
- Semifinals: Gor Mahia 2-2 Murang’a SEAL (won 5-3 on penalties)
Nairobi United’s path to the FKF Cup final
- Round of 64: Nairobi United 3-1 Global Connection
- Round of 32: Nairobi United 1-1 Tusker FC (won 5-4 on penalties)
- Round of 16: Nairobi United 0-0 KCB (won 6-5 on penalties)
- Quarterfinals: Nairobi United 2-0 Kakamega Homeboyz
- Semifinals: Nairobi United 1-1 Mara Sugar (won 3-1 on penalties)