Posta Rangers have secured their FKF Premier League (FKFPL) status for another season after edging Naivas FC on aggregate in the promotion/relegation playoff.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More NewsDespite a 1-0 defeat in the second leg played on Wednesday, July 2, at St. Sebastian Park, Murang’a, the Mailmen advanced thanks to their 2-0 first-leg victory in Thika, earning a narrow 2-1 aggregate win.##NAJAVA_MECA_9002334##The result means Rangers, who finished 16th in the FKFPL, will continue to feature in Kenya’s top flight next season.Naivas, who ended the National Super League (NSL) campaign in third place for the second consecutive year, once again fell short in the playoffs, a repeat of last season’s heartbreak against Sofapaka.The retailers entered the second leg knowing they needed at least two unanswered goals to overturn the deficit and keep their promotion hopes alive.They started with urgency, pushing forward from the onset. Their efforts were rewarded in the 22nd minute when Markvivian Kesa, in scintillating form, capitalised on a defensive lapse to score the opener.Benson Omala’s mum reaction after watching sons battle in Mozzart Bet Cup finalPosta nearly responded immediately through Felix Oluoch, but Naivas keeper Eliud Emase produced a good save to keep the hosts on the lead.The first half remained tense and closely contested by both teams, with most battles fought at the centre of the park.Kelvin Omondi had a chance to double Naivas’ lead in the 35th minute, but his shot veered just wide.Moments later, Oluoch came close once again, beating defender Justus Munuka but failed to keep his shot down.Naivas carried their slim 1-0 lead into the break, needing just one more goal to force a penalty shootout.The second half mirrored the first, with Naivas launching wave after wave of attacks ,while Posta Rangers remained compact and organised, focused on preserving their aggregate advantage.FT Naivas 1-0 Posta Rangers Posta Rangers retain their FKF Premier League status#FootballKE pic.twitter.com/9pz81z1gxA— Brian Odhiambo (@Odhiambo_Brian1) July 2, 2025 In the 58th minute, Brian Ochieng forced Emase into another save, with the Naivas custodian pushing the ball back into play.Posta then earned two successive corners but failed to capitalise, much to the frustration of their small but vocal travelling fans.Gor Mahia sack entire coaching staff after Mozzart Bet Cup lossThe Elvis Ayani coached Naivas, continued their search for a second goal, relying on Kesa and Robert Karisa to spark creativity in the final third.However, the Posta defence stood tall, with goalkeeper Bixente Otieno, who made a spectacular save to deny Justus Akweywa’s header from close range in the closing stages of the game also doing a great job.Posta were dealt a scare when Oliver Maloba was stretchered off with an injury midway through the second half.Although he later returned to the pitch, the incident disrupted their rhythm briefly.##NAJAVA_MECA_9002331##The final ten minutes of the match were largely uneventful, with frequent fouls and stoppages breaking up the play.This marked yet another painful exit for Naivas, who have now failed to secure promotion via the playoff route two seasons in a row.Since the playoff system was introduced seven years ago, only two second-tier sides have succeeded, Vihiga United in 2020 and Kisumu All Stars.
