Muluya Warns Sharks Ahead of Mombasa United Playoff
Sharks finished 16th in the 2025/26 Premier League season, while Mombasa United secured third place in the National Super League.
Kariobangi Sharks head coach William Muluya. Photo: The Star Kenya.
By Robert Mutasi
Kariobangi Sharks head coach William Muluya has cautioned his players to expect a demanding battle when they take on Mombasa United in the first leg of the Football Kenya Federation Premier League promotion-relegation playoff on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
The match is scheduled for 2pm at Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa, with the two sides fighting for the final available place in the 2026/27 FKF Premier League.
The return leg will be played in Nairobi on October 6, with the aggregate score across the two matches determining which team takes the 18th and final position in the top flight.
Sharks finished 16th in the 2025/26 Premier League season, while Mombasa United secured third place in the National Super League.
The playoff follows a prolonged dispute surrounding promotion and relegation that contributed to the delay in the start of the new Premier League campaign. The clubs eventually agreed to resolve the issue on the pitch following mediation by the Football Kenya Federation.
As part of the agreement, both teams were permitted to register new players ahead of the playoff, allowing them to strengthen their squads for the decisive fixtures.
Muluya believes Mombasa United’s recruitment has made the coastal side a dangerous opponent. He noted that several of their new players have previous experience competing at the highest level of Kenyan football.
“We are facing a side that has done very good recruitment and most of the players have had a situation where they’ve played in the top flight,” Muluya said.
The Sharks coach also pointed to the experience within Mombasa United’s technical team as another factor his players must consider.
Mombasa United appointed Abdulhamid Moalim as head coach after his success with Tanzanian club Yanga, where he guided the side to the league title last season. He has also previously worked with Azam FC and KMC.
Moalim is assisted by Mohammed Ahmed Mchulla, who has experience in the Kenyan game, including a lengthy spell with Mathare United and a stint at the club formerly known as Modern Coast Rangers.
“They have a very good coach. He has been in the top flight, someone who has been on the Yanga bench. They also have Mohammed, the Mombasa United assistant coach, who has been with Mathare United for a very long period of time,” Muluya added.
Mombasa United have been rebuilding their squad since earning promotion from the National Super League and will now face their first major test against an established top-flight opponent.
Sharks, meanwhile, will rely on Muluya’s experience after he has been associated with the club since its rise to the Premier League. He took charge in 2016 and helped the team secure promotion during his first season.
With the tie being decided over two legs, Muluya has emphasised the need for his players to remain disciplined and focused throughout Thursday’s encounter.
Mombasa United will have home advantage in the opening match, while Sharks will be looking for a positive result to take into the return leg in Nairobi.
The aggregate winner will claim the final place in the 2026/27 FKF Premier League, while the losing team will play in the National Super League next season.
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