National Super League (NSL) cleared to start despite on-going court case
.jpg)
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 15.09.25. | 13:44
The dispute traces back to a complaint lodged by Nakuru Bucks, who alleged that Gucha Stars had fielded an ineligible player, Eugene Nyakaga.
The Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) has issued a green light for the 2025/26 National Super League (NSL) to commence this Saturday, 20 September, but without Compel FC and Soy United.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
The Tribunal had initially suspended the league’s Saturday, 13 September, kickoff and frozen the promotion of the two sides following a complaint involving Gucha Stars.
During a Monday sitting, FKF was directed to file submissions by Tuesday, with a ruling expected on Friday. In the meantime, the Tribunal has allowed the NSL to proceed, minus the two clubs at the centre of the dispute.
Background of the saga
The start of the 2025/26 NSL was thrown into disarray after SDT halted the kick-off and suspended the promotion of Soy United and Compel SC.
The ruling stemmed from a long-running dispute involving Gucha Stars, who successfully challenged FKF’s decision to dock them points for allegedly fielding an ineligible player in their clash against Nakuru Bucks last season.
Through lawyer Ken Ochieng, Gucha secured a High Court order granting a replay of the decisive fixture, whose outcome could dramatically alter the promotion standings.
As a result, Soy’s elevation to the NSL was nullified, while Compel’s playoff victory over Bumbani Stars was also scrapped pending resolution of the Gucha–Nakuru replay.
In a separate but related decision, the Tribunal granted leave for contempt proceedings against CEO Harold Ndege, FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee Chairman Peter “Kaskas” Kamau, and Competitions Manager Frank Ogolla.
The trio are accused of defying a Tribunal judgment delivered on June 24, 2025, by failing to schedule the Gucha–Nakuru replay as ordered.
The Tribunal has since directed that no team be promoted from Division One until its rulings are fully complied with.
How it began
The dispute traces back to a complaint lodged by Nakuru Bucks, who alleged that Gucha Stars had fielded an ineligible player, Eugene Nyakaga.
Investigations revealed that the individual on the pitch was actually Bildad Marube, impersonating Nyakaga, who was not registered in FIFA Connect. This breached FKF Rule 6.2.11, which prohibits false information in player registration.
On May 23, 2025, the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee (LCC) ruled against Gucha, awarding the match 3-0 to Nakuru, docking Gucha three points, suspending Nyakaga for 365 days, and referring Marube to the Disciplinary Committee.
The ruling dropped Gucha from first to third in Division One, handing automatic promotion to Soy United and a playoff slot to Compel SC. Gucha appealed, but the FKF Appeals Committee only partially upheld their case, admitting the LCC acted outside its jurisdiction but maintaining the sanctions.
_(1).jpg)
Gucha then escalated the case to SDT and later the High Court, which ultimately ruled in their favour and ordered the replay.
That replay remains outstanding, and until it is played, SDT has frozen promotions and barred Compel and Soy from joining the new NSL season.
.jpg)
