Nairobi United scripted one of the most remarkable stories in Kenyan football in the concluded season. On Friday, 23 May, they sealed their promotion to the FKF Premier League.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsJust over a month later, they stunned Gor Mahia to clinch the Mozzart Bet Cup ,and in the process, became the first second-tier side to lift the prestigious trophy. Sofapaka did it in 2007.Their path to glory was anything but easy. They knocked out heavyweights like; Tusker FC, KCB FC, Kakamega Homeboyz, and Mara Sugar before edging out 21-time champions Gor Mahia 2-1 in a memorable final held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.Mozzart Sport chatted with the team’s assistant coach, Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani, who has been at the center of their rise. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9000958##The former Nairobi City Stars’ midfielder believes the triumph is a signal that boys are ready for the big stage.“The Mozzart Bet Cup has given us a taste of what to expect in next season’s FKF Premier League. This is football now. When you play in such high-stakes matches, your motivation grows because you want more,” Kimani said.Benson Omala’s mum reaction after watching sons battle in Mozzart Bet Cup finalAccording to Muki, Nairobi United’s character was shaped by the pain of last year’s near-miss on FKF Premier League promotion.“We started the season strongly because we were still carrying the pain from last year. That heartbreak taught us how to manage the league better, game by game. We were no longer new to the NSL, and that experience paid off,” he continued.Muki, who made his international debut in 2010 and earned 10 caps for Kenya, was also grateful that coaching the team helped him grow tremendously as a tactician.“I have learned a lot. One key lesson is that I must constantly do my homework daily. You cannot get better if you are not putting in the work, researching, learning, evolving,” he reflected.The two issues Makadara MP wants FKF to solve before start of new seasonThe Mozzart Bet Cup win comes with a golden opportunity. Naibois will represent Kenya in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup. Muki noted that the players are aware of what lies ahead and are ready to step up.“For us to even play in this tournament, we had to prepare with the future in mind. The boys understand that they have to work even harder to impress at the continental level,” he concluded.Why Nairobi United captain rejected Ksh3.8 million offer from South Sudanese clubThe team’s performance is likely to get better. Next season, they will play their league matches at the Kasarani Stadium. The club has also secured the Kasarani Annex as their official training ground.
