The 2025 Mozzart Bet Cup drew its curtains on Sunday, 29 June, after what was largely a successful season with plenty of lessons picked up along the way.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsIn the final match, National Super League (NSL) champions Nairobi United saw off Kenyan giants Gor Mahia 2-1 to win the much-coveted trophy.Frank Ouya opened the scoring in the ninth minute to give Naibois the lead, but Ben Stanley Omondi equalised eight minutes before the break to ensure it was all square at half time.Harambee Stars to feature in build up tournament ahead of CHANIn a hotly contested second half, Enock Machaka scored the winner for Naibois in the 73rd minute, with Gor Mahia missing a penalty in the 84th minute.Prior to the final, Murang’a Seal defeated Mara Sugar FC to secure third spot courtesy of a 54th-minute header by Victor Haki.For their performances, Nairobi United earned themselves Ksh2 million, Gor Mahia won Ksh1 million, while Murang’a Seal and Mara Sugar FC banked Ksh750,000 and Ksh500,000, all courtesy of Mozzart Bet.##NAJAVA_MECA_9002684##Throughout the season, there were plenty of memorable incidents leading to the finals, and Mozzart Sport explores six lessons picked from the entire campaign.1. Belief beats StatusThroughout the campaign, Nairobi United demonstrated that belief carries the day over status. The NSL champions had the toughest route to the finals, but their belief triumphed.The Nicholas Muyoti-coached side eliminated top FKF Premier League teams on their way to lifting the trophy.Glen Otunga Masava: The box-to-box midfield dynamo powering Kakamega Homeboyz’ engineTheir giant-killing mission began when they eliminated KCB FC in the Round of 16, and to prove that it was not a fluke, they knocked out Tusker FC in the quarter finals and saw off Mara Sugar to reach the finals.Naibois finished the job by thrashing Kenyan giants Gor Mahia in the final. All through the journey, the team kept on believing that they had the capability, which, when spiced with hard work, won them a continental football ticket.2. NSL promotion momentum matteredWhile there are many factors that contributed to Nairobi United’s success, the impact of the promotion momentum cannot be ignored.##NAJAVA_MECA_9000831##Going into the cup, Naibois were in a good run of form in the league, augmenting their NSL lead day by day and therefore approached the tournament with great confidence.Facing teams that were struggling for form and maybe underrated them could only be to the disadvantage of their opponents, who could not stand in the way of that momentum.With every win, the momentum kept growing, and the confidence kept increasing. Alas, Lo and behold! Naibois won the Cup.Harambee Starlets striker among 16 dropped by Besiktas3. Penalty Nerve was keyThe long-held mantra that penalties are a gamble and no team can be perfect in it continues to be challenged each day.Naibois were the latest team to prove that a team can make penalties their strong point and last line of hope when other factors fail to produce a win.On their way to the finals, Naibois advanced via post-match penalties three times: against KCB, Tusker and Mara Sugar.##NAJAVA_MECA_9000958##Goalkeeper Ernest Mohammed made a name for himself from the spot kicks, where at each stage, he saved penalties and capped it off with the save from K’Ogalo’s Alpha Chris Onyango in the dying minutes of the final.Apart from Mohammed, Naibois’ penalty takers were also good and rarely missed their kicks, making Mohammed’s work easier as he just needed to save one on most occasions.4. Strategic investment pays dividends When investments are made strategically and with the right atmosphere, returns can always be reaped, especially in a system that normalises disorganisation.AFC Leopards should borrow from Athletics Kenya to reclaim glory-MP WanyonyiWhile Nairobi United performed well on the pitch, the role of the investment by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja in the team through the Johnson Sakaja Foundation cannot be ignored.The team’s affairs are well taken care of, thus providing an enabling environment for their talents to thrive.Additionally, the Ksh100,000 humanitarian cheque from leading gaming firm Mozzart Bet pushed players to give their best, hoping that they would impress the panel and enhance their impact in their respective communities.##NAJAVA_MECA_9002219##5. Gor Mahia warning shotThe warning shot has once again been fired at Gor Mahia. While the team dominated Kenyan football for about a decade, their foundations are surely being shaken.K’Ogalo were denied a Cup final victory and a place in continental football by a second-tier side in what has not been seen since 2007 when Sofapaka won it. Naibois dominated Gor Mahia on all fronts.The Kenyan giants also lost the league title to a Kenya Police FC side that was in their fourth year in the top tier.Harambee Stars midfielder joins Czech side for pre-season camp eager to make UEFA Champions League debutThe two occurrences prove that legacy does not last forever. A team needs to continually adapt to changes in time, prepare well and invest wisely to keep their name relevant.6. Tactical SuperiorityThe 2025 Mozzart Bet Cup proved to be very tactical, with underdogs claiming victory in the majority of the matches.The biggest among them is how Naibois’ coach, Nicholas Muyoti, tactically defeated top teams and coaches to win his maiden trophy as a coach.##NAJAVA_MECA_9000739##In the finals, the former City Stars tactician revealed that he made sure Gor Mahia did not comfortably play in midfield, which is their strong point and their main supply to attackers. At every point, Austin Odhiambo and Alpha Onyango were being pressed or man-marked by Nairobi United, forcing K’Ogalo to opt for direct long balls to Benson Omala, who could not beat Lennox Ogutu and John Otieno in the air.With the investment in the Cup growing and its importance better known, the 2026 Mozzart Bet Cup can only get better.
