Nairobi United commence Mozzart Bet Cup defense with walk over after hosts fail to show up

Reigning Mozzart Bet Cup champions Nairobi United officially commenced their title defence on Saturday, 28 February, after being awarded a walkover in their Round of 64 clash against Mombasa-based L-15 FC.

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The FKF Premier League debutants had been scheduled to face the little-known coastal side at Mbaraki Sports Club.

However, the fixture failed to materialise after the hosts did not show up for the encounter.

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In a brief but telling update shared on their official social media pages, Nairobi United confirmed that they had honoured the fixture and were ready to proceed, only for their opponents to be absent, a development that automatically resulted in a walkover under competition regulations.

“NaiBois ready, Fans ready, Refs ready. Opponent missing. Walkover. We move,” the club posted, in a statement that reflected both professionalism and quiet confidence.

The fixture had been one of the last Round of 64 ties pending conclusion, largely due to Nairobi United’s earlier involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup, which necessitated a rescheduling.

Saturday’s match had therefore been earmarked as a decisive tie to complete the round and determine the final team advancing to the last 32.

Instead, the contest was settled without a ball being kicked.

While a walkover is rarely the ideal manner to progress in a knockout tournament, the outcome ensures that Nairobi United’s quest for back-to-back domestic cup glory remains firmly on course.

The cup holders now advance to the Round of 32, where they are set to face BMC All Stars as they intensify their pursuit of consecutive titles, a feat that would further cement their growing stature in Kenyan football.

Attention now shifts to what promises to be a captivating Round of 32 lineup, featuring several heavyweight clashes.

Record champions Gor Mahia will face giant killers BB Bread, the side that stunned AFC Leopards in one of the standout upsets of the previous round.

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The Round of 32 action officially kicks off on Friday, 6 March, with an all-FKF Premier League affair as Bidco United host four-time winners Tusker FC.

Saturday’s fixtures will see two-time champions Bandari FC lock horns with Bumbani All Stars in a coastal derby, while former champions Ulinzi Stars welcome Zoo FC at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.

Elsewhere, Shabana FC will host Muhoroni Youth at Gusii Stadium as National Super League (NSL) side 3K FC entertain Denmark FC from Mombasa.

2024 finalists KCB FC are set to face Zetech Titans, while 2024 winners Kenya Police FC take on TBM Health in another intriguing encounter.

The action continues on Sunday, 8 March, with 2023 champions Kakamega Homeboyz hosting Kipchimchim FC, 2019 winners Kariobangi Sharks facing Kenyatta University Hardnuts, and 2025 semi-finalists Murang’a Seal squaring off against FC Dynamo.