NSL side taken to court over league eligibility claims

A fresh dispute threatening to shake the National Super League (NSL) has landed before the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) after an application was filed challenging Equity Bank FC’s participation in the ongoing 2025/26 season.

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Court documents seen by Mozzart Sport show that Winfred Mutisya has filed a case against Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Head of Competitions Frank Ogolla, FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee chairman Peter Kamau alias Kass Kass, Equity Bank FC and FKF.

The matter, registered as SDTSC/E030/2026, was certified urgent by the Tribunal on Monday, 4 May, with Deputy Chairperson Allan Mola Owinyi issuing directions for the respondents to respond before Friday, 8 May.

The dispute revolves around Equity Bank’s eligibility to feature in the second tier this season.

According to the Certificate of Urgency filed before the Tribunal, the applicant argues that the Bankers did not qualify for promotion from the 2024/25 Division One season after allegedly failing to finish in the promotion positions.

The applicant further claims that the club finished 14th in Division One and was therefore relegated to Division Two, arguing that the team had “no sporting entitlement” to participate in the NSL this season.

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“Despite the foregoing, the 3rd Respondent is currently participating in the National Super League, being in the third spot, thereby raising serious and urgent questions as to compliance with Football Kenya Federation Regulations on promotion and relegation based on sporting merit,” part of the court papers read.

The application warns that unless the Tribunal intervenes urgently, the season will continue progressing and the dispute could eventually be rendered meaningless once more matches are played.

The Tribunal directed the claimant to serve all respondents with the application and supporting documents before 5 pm on Tuesday, 5 May, either physically or electronically.

Respondents have until Friday, 8 May, to file their responses before the matter is mentioned on Tuesday, 12 May, at 2:30 pm through Microsoft Teams for compliance and further directions.

The panel set to handle the matter will comprise Eddie Omondi as chair, alongside Allan Mola and Victor Omwebu.

The latest legal battle now threatens to open another chapter in Kenyan football’s long-running disputes surrounding league structures, promotion and relegation regulations, as the NSL season enters a decisive phase with clubs battling for promotion places and survival.

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Equity Bank earned promotion to the second tier after entering into a merger arrangement with former NSL side SamWest Blackboots following the withdrawal of sponsors Harvest of Hope, who had been backing Blackboots.

Before the merger and eventual rise to the NSL, the club had dropped to the fourth tier of Kenyan football and was rebuilding its structure from the grassroots level.

The Kajiado-based side, which hosts its home matches at Mashuuru Sports Complex, currently sits third on the NSL table and remains firmly in contention for promotion to the FKF Premier League in what would be their first attempt at reaching the top flight.

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Equity are not the only side in the second tier whose rise has been linked to mergers or restructuring arrangements.

Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA) previously acquired Rainbow FC’s slot in the league setup, while Mombasa United emerged after the rebranding of Mombasa Elite.

Darajani Gogo also ascended into the second tier through restructuring and acquisition processes, while 3K FC took over the Ligi Ndogo-linked Planets FC slot in the lower divisions before gradually working their way up the football pyramid.