NSL clubs threaten to boycott new season until FKF president Hussein Mohammed meets them

NSL clubs threaten to boycott new season until FKF president Hussein Mohammed meets them

Nineteen NSL clubs want direct talks with FKF president Hussein Mohammed over league regulations, sponsorship and the composition of the second-tier competition before the 2026/27 season begins.

National Super League (NSL) clubs have threatened to halt the start of the 2026/27 season until they meet Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed, escalating a standoff over the management of the second-tier league amid uncertainty surrounding competition rules and club sponsorship.

The decision was reached on Thursday, October 15, following a meeting between club representatives and FKF officials. The clubs subsequently held their own discussions and resolved to seek the federation president’s direct involvement before the new campaign can begin.

In a letter dated October 15, signed by representatives of 19 NSL clubs and addressed to Mohammed, the teams formally requested a consultative meeting at Kandanda House to discuss issues they consider critical to the successful start of the season.

The clubs stated that the 2026/27 season “should not commence before a meeting is held between the teams and yourself,” effectively making the proposed engagement a condition for the campaign’s commencement.

They said the resolution followed consultations among participating teams and was intended to promote dialogue with the federation rather than disrupt the competition.

“This resolution has been arrived at in good faith, with the shared understanding that open dialogue, mutual understanding, and collaboration between the Federation and the participating clubs are essential to the successful running of the league,” the letter reads.

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The clubs argued that engaging directly with the FKF president would allow them to raise their concerns, present their perspectives and collectively seek solutions in the best interests of Kenyan football.

Among the key issues they want addressed are the regulations governing the 2026/27 season amid ongoing court cases, sponsorship arrangements for NSL clubs and their expectations for the upcoming campaign.

The proposed meeting agenda includes “a review of the 2025/2026 season”, “NSL Clubs Sponsorship” and “Expectations in the 2026/2027 season”.

The demand comes amid legal disputes surrounding the regulations governing Kenyan football competitions, with uncertainty over promotion and relegation threatening to complicate preparations for the new season.

The criteria for determining the composition of the NSL could also face further scrutiny as clubs seek clarity on the rules that will govern the competition. Any decision by FKF on the league’s composition could trigger fresh legal challenges if affected parties contest the process.

FKF has promised to issue a communication on the composition of the NSL on Friday, October 16, a development that could prove crucial in determining the way forward for the competition.

However, the clubs have insisted on an opportunity to engage directly with the federation’s leadership before the season begins.

Seeking to dispel any suggestion that their position is intended to derail the competition, the clubs said: “Our intention is not to create an impasse or hinder the progress of the league, but rather to strengthen the relationship between the Federation and the clubs while ensuring that the new season begins on a positive and united footing.”

They have asked Mohammed to confirm his availability for a meeting at the earliest opportunity, leaving the next step dependent on his response.

The standoff puts pressure on FKF to reconcile its preparations for the new season with the clubs’ demand for consultation. With uncertainty over the NSL’s composition and the regulations governing the competition still unresolved, the dispute threatens to delay the start of the 2026/27 campaign.