Nairobi United coach Nicholas Muyoti says the key to their team’s success, including their 2025 Mozzart Bet Cup (Football Kenya Federation Cup) on Sunday, has been a change in mentality and mindset within the squad.
Nairobi United clinched the domestic cup with a 2-1 win over Kenyan giants Gor Mahia on Sunday at a packed Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
That win completed the club's fairytale run in the knock-competition, having previously defeated Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) sides Tusker, KCB, Kakamega Homeboyz and Mara Sugar.
In addition to pocketing Sh2 million for the victory, Nairobi United earned a ticket to represent Kenya in the 2025/26 Caf Confederation Cup.
Gor Mahia captain Austin Odhiambo (left) vies for the ball with Bernard Ouma of Nairobi United during the finals of Mozzart Bet Cup at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on June 29, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“When I joined the team, I told them that we have to be confident and have a winning mentality,” said Muyoti who joined the team in January.
“In the second leg (NSL) we lost just two matches, which to us were a learning moment. After every match, we always went back to the drawing board to make sure that we got it right again. We lost in our last league match (3-0 against Naivas Football Club) because of our mentality. It changed coming into this match, the boys were adequately prepared and ready to go,” added the former Kenya international.
Nairobi United becomes the second NSL team in the last two decades to win the domestic cup after Sofapaka in 2007.
Nairobi United took the lead against Gor lead through Frank Ouya in the six minute. K’Ogalo drew level through Ben Stanley Omondi in the 37th minute, before Enock Machaka scored the winning goal for the NSL champions in the 37th minute.
There was drama late in the match when Gor were awarded a penalty but midfielder Alpha Onyango was denied by goalkeeper Ernest Mohammed.
Muyoti noted that his team’s strategy of limiting Gor’s striker Benson Omala’s involvement and disrupting K’Ogalo’s midfield dominance proved effective.
“We had to make sure Gor does not play in the midfield, so we cut Omala’s ball supply. He got very few balls and that was what we wanted,” Muyoti said.
Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla (right) runs for the ball under close watch from Lennox Ogutu of Nairobi United during the finals of Mozzart Bet Cup at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on June 29, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“Getting a goal early in the game was an added advantage although after taking the lead, my boys slowed down. In the second-half, we told them to go out and play football and that is what they did. We had to defend well because Gor are dangerous in front,” he explained.
Nairobi United’s journey to the success began in the round of 64 with a 3-1 win over lower tier side Global Connection. They then eliminated Tusker in the round of 32, holding the brewers to a 1-1 draw before winning 5-4 in a penalty shootout.
In the round of 16, they repeated the feat, edging KCB 6-5 on penalties after a goalless draw. The quarterfinals saw ‘Naibois’ dominate former cup winners Kakamega Homeboyz with a resounding 2-0 win.
In the semifinals, they faced a resilient Mara Sugar side, drawing 1-1 in regular time before triumphing 3-1 in yet another penalty shootout.
Nairobi United’s win confined Gor Mahia to a trophyless season. K’Ogalo finished second in the 2024/25 FKF Premier League season with 59 points, six shy of first-time winners Kenya Police FC.
At the end of the match against Nairobi United, a section of Gor Mahia fans invaded the pitch, while baying for the blood of interim coach Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno.
Otieno alongside his players were forced to dash to the dressing room for safety as police fired teargas canisters and warning shots to keep the angry fans at bay.
Earlier at the same venue, Murang’a Seal defeated Mara Sugar 1-0 in the third-place playoff. Midfielder Victor Haki scored the winning goal that saw the Murang’a County-based side pocket Sh750,000 while Mara received Sh 500,000.
