Mombasa United’s long-awaited debut in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) was celebrated in the Coast region.
The region glowed with the pride of having two representatives in top flight football.
The other team, seasoned Bandari, needs no introduction.
But Mombasa United are getting a brutal introduction to the high demands and ruthless competitiveness of the Premier League.
The newly promoted side has struggled to keep pace with their fellow newcomers and are now facing uncomfortable questions about their readiness for elite club football in the country.
Mombasa United sit bottom of the 18-team table after six matches, with no wins, one draw and five defeats.
Together with Nairobi United, they are the only teams yet to win a match in the league this season.
Mombasa have scored just four goals, conceded 11 and have a goal difference of minus seven.
Their latest setback was a painful 3-2 home loss to Shabana on Saturday. Despite scoring twice, Mombasa once again came out empty-handed.
They lost 1-0 to Kakamega Homeboyz in their opener on October 14, drew 0-0 with Kenya Police FC on October 25 and went down 2-0 to Migori Youth at Awendo Green Stadium on November 1.
In the other three matches, they found the net but still lost: 2-1 to Mara Sugar on October 19, 3-1 to KCB on October 28 and, most recently, 3-2 to Shabana over the weekend.
Mombasa United FC players during a training session at Mombasa Sports Club on September 25, 2026.
Photo credit: Pool
They entered the Premier League via a play-off against Kariobangi Sharks that was marred by violence.
Mombasa United signalled their ambitions by appointing Somali-American Abdulhamid Moallin as head coach in August 2026.
“We are building a club with strong ambitions, and the appointment of coach Abdulhamid is an important part of that journey,” club president Abdulrahman Hussein said during the unveiling.
Already trailing 2-0 following Philemon Nyakwaka’s penalty and Frederick Ologi’s late goal, Mombasa suffered another blow at half-time when Moallin was shown a straight red card.
The coach had charged towards match officials to protest a decision, prompting the referee to send him off.
“It is experience. When you go to a new league, you require time to acclimatise and get used to things, especially how fast the game is. I think some of our players are going through that,” Moalin said.
Fellow newcomers 3K FC are seventh with nine points from six matches, and Migorii Youth, 12th from one win and three draws.
It is still early days in the league, but Mombasa will be scratching their heads, wondering how they can turn things around.
