On Friday, 23 May, Nairobi United made history by being promoted to the FKF Premier League.The Nicholas Muyoti-coached side sealed their impressive National Super League (NSL) season with a 3-1 victory over 3K FC.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More NewsAmong the key players in the promotion was talented midfielder Enock Machaka.##NAJAVA_MECA_8957393##Machaka rejoined Nairobi midway through the 2024/25 season from FC Talanta and played a pivotal role in guiding them to the top of the NSL standings.The team secured promotion with 65 points, registering 19 wins, eight losses, and four draws.However, while his performance was impressive, Machaka noted that goalkeeper Chacha Maneno was his standout player of the season.“I’d say our goalkeeper, Chacha Maneno, has had a great season. There are several games where he really carried the team,” Machaka told Mozzart Sport.BREAKING: Wanyama withdraws from Harambee Stars squadMachaka’s journey this season has been eventful. He started the campaign with FC Talanta before making the decision to return to Nairobi United. He had previously left Nairobi United for Bandari in the middle of the 2023/24 season.“I had some unfinished business at Nairobi United, and I felt the time was right to go back and complete that mission. That’s why I returned to the team,” he said.That mission, he noted, was to help the team gain promotion and finish at the top of the table.“When I joined Nairobi United, my goals were to help the team earn promotion and finish the season in first place. We’ve already achieved the first goal, so now the focus is on trying to finish top of the table,” he disclosed.Shikobe returns as Odemba names Harambee Starlets squad for Morocco friendlyThe 2024/25 NSL campaign has been tightly contested, but Machaka believes the club’s strong dressing room and tactical direction under coach Muyoti made all the difference.“I think Coach Muyoti and the entire technical bench have played a huge role in how we approach our games. Plus, we have experienced players in the squad, which makes a big difference,” he said.With an FKF Premier League spot already guaranteed, the morale is currently sky-high in camp as they eye a strong finish in the Mozzart Bet Cup.Machaka admitted he did not expect promotion to come this season, but he always believed.“I did not expect it, but I had faith that by the end of the season, we’d be one of the teams promoted to the Premier League,” he said.##NAJAVA_MECA_8957778##Looking ahead to next season, the experienced midfielder has one primary goal for Nairobi United in their debut top-flight campaign: survival.“My expectation for our first season in the Premier League is simply to survive—to stay in the league.”For now, though, Machaka is savoring the promotion moment and proud to have added something valuable to his football CV.“I’m not entirely sure, but I felt like Nairobi United needed me, so I had to make the move. And once the season ends, I’ll have added something valuable to my CV,” he concluded.Joseph Okumu’s Reims relegated after playoff heartbreak against Metz
