Boniface Ambani/ HANDOUT
AFC Leopards chairman Boniface Ambani has called for a playoff between Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United to resolve the promotion/relegation dispute that has stalled the start of the 2026/27 SportPesa Premier League season.
The new campaign was scheduled to kick off on September 19 but was postponed indefinitely after fresh High Court orders over the status of the two clubs plunged the league into another legal standoff.
Ambani said FKF, Sharks and Mombasa United must be willing to compromise to get the league back on track.
“The only way to unlock this situation is to allow Playoffs to take place. It will take a lot of wisdom from all three ends—Football Kenya Federation, Sharks, and Mombasa Utd—in the interest of football in this East African nation. ,” Ambani said.
He proposed that Mombasa United accept the playoff while Sharks allow the coastal side to use its current squad, acknowledging that the player eligibility issue could complicate the process.
“Mombasa United should cede ground and accept a playoff. Sharks should also cede ground and allow Mombasa Utd to use the players they have in their current squad,” he said.
According to Ambani, the rules require teams involved in a playoff to use the squads they had at the end of the previous season. The situation involving Mombasa United, however, presents a practical challenge after the club released players whose contracts had expired and recruited new players for the new campaign.
“This is where King Solomon Wisdom and the rule of fair play come into play. Why? According to the rules, both teams should use the squads they had at the end of the season for playoffs,” Ambani said.
He said recalling the players who have since left Mombasa United could prove difficult, making a negotiated solution necessary if the proposed playoff is to take place.
“The tricky part is, I am 100 per cent sure Mombasa United released a good number of players, whose contracts had expired and signed in new players in preparation for a new season. Recalling those players is a herculean task. It's a tricky affair,” he said.
The dispute has already triggered court action and contributed to the league's postponement, with FKF and club officials holding consultations to find a way forward.
Ambani urged the federation and its National Executive Committee to put their differences aside and use the current FIFA international calendar to reach an agreement.
“So to unlock this, the FKF and NEC should put their differences aside, stop playing hardball for the interest of soccer and move fast within this FIFA international calendar and do the necessary,” he said.
He wants the parties to withdraw their court cases once an agreement is reached, allowing the issue to be settled without further disruption to the league calendar.
“The urgent thing is to act and solve this issue amicably. Whoever refuses, that's an enemy of football. Once in agreement, head to the courts, withdraw the cases, sign, and we move on,” Ambani said.
With the opening round already postponed, the impasse has left clubs facing uncertainty over fixtures, preparations and the timing of the new season.
Ambani said the dispute should divide stakeholders in a sport that brings people together. “Football is never a Ukraine Vs Russia war, guys. Football unites...” he said.
