FKF President opens up on most memorable moment of 2025 Mozzart Bet Cup

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed has opened up on his most memorable moment from the 2025 Mozzart Bet Cup.

Hussein singled out the electric final that saw Nairobi United stun Gor Mahia to clinch the trophy for the first time in their history.

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The tournament concluded on Sunday, 29 June 2025, with a gripping showdown.

Nairobi United wasted no time asserting themselves in the final, needing just six minutes to break the deadlock.

A long throw into the Gor Mahia penalty area sparked confusion in defense, and when the ball fell kindly, Frankie Ouya unleashed a thunderous volley to hand Nairobi a dream start.

They maintained relentless pressure, pressing high and tackling with urgency, playing like a side determined to script history.

Gor Mahia, momentarily stunned and struggling to find rhythm, had to wait until the 36th minute for their first real spell of fluid play.

Ben Stanley restored parity with a well-taken strike from the edge of the area, briefly lifting the spirits of the Green Army.

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However, that proved to be their brightest moment of the contest.

The decisive blow arrived in the 73rd minute when Nairobi United pieced together a sweeping move from the back, slicing through Gor Mahia’s midfield with patient, incisive passing.

The ball eventually reached Enock Machaka at the edge of the box, and with space to measure his effort, he fired an unstoppable rocket into the top corner, sending their supporters into wild celebration and sealing a famous victory.

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For Hussein, the final embodied everything the competition had been striving to achieve.

“The final pitting Gor Mahia and Nairobi United was absolutely amazing. The tournament was incredibly exciting, and the turnout was massive. What stood out most for us was the energy from the fans and the incredible ambience; it made the whole experience unforgettable,” he recalled.

Beyond the on-field spectacle, the 2025 edition marked a significant milestone in the tournament’s commercial growth.

This year, the tournament, which is celebrating its 70th edition, has received a substantial financial boost following Mozzart Bet’s renewed three-year sponsorship deal valued at Kshs 90 million, up from the previous Kshs 60 million agreement.

The gaming firm committed Kshs 30 million annually, a Kshs 10 million increment that has been widely viewed as elevating the stature of the competition.

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The improved sponsorship translated into a revised prize structure.

The champions now pocket Kshs 3 million, up from Kshs 2 million, while runners-up receive Kshs 2 million.

The third-placed team will earn Kshs1.5 million, with the fourth-placed team getting Kshs 1 million.

In addition, the tournament introduced Kshs 8.4 million in individual performance bonuses, rewarding the best goalkeeper, top scorer, best midfielder, and best defender in each match, as well as the most promising young player and the overall Most Valuable Player.

Broadcast coverage also benefited, with Sh5 million allocated to enhance live streaming and match production, broadening the tournament’s reach and visibility.

Mozzart Bet’s renewed backing covers organisation, branding, logistics, and live broadcasting, creating a more professional platform for clubs and deeper engagement for fans.

The Round of 64 draw held during the launch further set the tone for what became one of the most competitive editions in recent memory.

Despite their loss in the 2025 final, Gor Mahia remain the most successful side in FKF Cup history with eight titles, closely followed by AFC Leopards with seven.

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Yet the rise of Nairobi United signalled a shifting landscape in Kenyan football, where new challengers are increasingly capable of toppling traditional giants.

Looking ahead, Hussein expressed optimism about the tournament’s future.

“2025 was great, but I truly believe 2026 will be even bigger and better. I’m looking forward to a competition with more excitement, more energy, and stronger partnerships as we continue to grow,” he said.