NSL: Madiela nets first goal of the season as Mombasa United silence MCF at home
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 27.09.25. | 19:17
The goal not only got Mombasa’s campaign off to a flying start but also broke MCF’s recent dominance over the Coastal outfit
Fidel Madiela etched his name into the 2025/26 National Super League (NSL) history books by scoring the first goal of the season as Mombasa United edged Mully Children's Family (MCF) 1-0 in a tense clash at the MCF Sports Complex in Ndalani on Saturday afternoon.
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Madiela, making his competitive debut for the Coastal side after joining from Luanda Villa, struck in the ninth minute to give new Mombasa United head coach Gilbert Selebwa a perfect start to life at the club.
The goal not only got Mombasa’s campaign off to a flying start but also broke MCF’s recent dominance over the Coastal outfit, adding a bitter twist to what was supposed to be a celebratory homecoming for the Ndalani-based club.
MCF were playing their first-ever NSL match at their newly built MCF Sports Complex, having previously hosted games at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos or Thika Stadium since their promotion to the second tier in 2020.
The visitors drew first blood early.
A neat exchange between Nehemiah Onchiri and Jack Watee prised open the MCF defence before Watee slipped a clever pass into the path of Madiela, who made no mistake, guiding the ball past goalkeeper Geoffrey Were to open the scoring.
That early setback stung MCF into action.
With the home crowd behind them, they gradually settled into the contest, finding rhythm in the middle of the park and pushing Mombasa deeper into their own half.
Awitta Batts, operating down the right flank, proved a constant menace, repeatedly testing Mombasa’s defensive line with his pace and direct running.
Centre back enforcer Mophat Kovelo grew in influence as the game progressed, dictating the tempo and threading incisive balls that forced Mombasa’s back four into hurried clearances.
The pressure almost paid off midway through the first half when John Okoth's clever pass released Awitta, whose low drive forced Richard Bacha into a full-stretch save, the first of several crucial interventions by the Mombasa goalkeeper.
Moments later, Awitta combined with Kovelo again, this time sending a looping cross into the box. Substitute forward Kendrick Onzere rose highest to meet it, only to see his header tipped over the bar by the alert Bacha.
By the closing stages of the half, MCF were enjoying the lion’s share of possession, with Bacha twice denying Kovelo, first by smothering a fierce long-range strike and then palming away a curling effort destined for the top corner.
At the final whistle, Mombasa’s slim advantage held, thanks largely to their resilient backline and Bacha’s heroics between the posts.
The shot-stopper Ebenyo, named Man of the Match, said he was determined to repay the faith shown in him after a frustrating 2024/2025 campaign.
“It’s a great feeling to start the season with three points and a clean sheet,” said Bacha.
“I was here last season but didn’t get many chances. To start today, against this side, and deliver such a performance is only by God’s grace. We’ll keep preparing, aim to win every game, and see where the season takes us,” he told Mozzart Sport.
