Captain John Otieno rallies Nairobi United ahead of FKF Cup clash at Kasarani
By Joel Masibo, April 11, 2026Defending champions Nairobi United FC are gearing up for a crucial FKF Cup Round of 16 clash against Posta Rangers FC, with captain John Otieno rallying his teammates and fans ahead of the high-stakes encounter set for Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani.
Heading into the fixture as title holders, Nairobi United carry the weight of expectation, but Otieno has embraced the challenge, acknowledging both the pressure and the belief within the squad.
Leading Naibois
“Leading this team as defending champions is a massive responsibility, but the belief within this squad is our greatest motivation,” said Otieno.
The skipper pointed to recent performances as proof of the team’s readiness, highlighting a win over Shabana and a draw against Homeboyz as signs of steady progress. However, he was quick to caution that cup football presents a different challenge altogether.
“While the win against Shabana and the draw against Homeboyz proved we are ready, the Mozzart Bet Cup is a different beast entirely,” he noted.
With knockout football leaving little room for error, Nairobi United will be keen to avoid complacency against a determined Posta Rangers side also eyeing a quarterfinal berth. Otieno emphasized the need for discipline, intensity, and unity as the team looks to navigate the tricky tie.
“We need focus, hunger, and above all, the energy of our fans at Kasarani this Sunday,” he added.
The clash promises to be a thrilling contest as Nairobi United seek to keep their title defense on track, while Posta Rangers aim to upset the holders and continue their own cup journey.
Naibois honoured
Nairobi United FC were crowned Team of the Year at the Kenyan Sport Personality of the Year Awards on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Uhuru Gardens, capping off a remarkable 2025 season that has firmly placed the club among the country’s rising football forces.
The recognition follows an extraordinary campaign in which Nairobi United defied the odds to lift the 2025 FKF Cup, edging regional giants Gor Mahia in the final, while still competing in the National Super League. Their fairytale run did not end there, as the club went on to make a strong impression on the continental stage, reaching the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup in their debut appearance.
The achievement marks a historic milestone for the club, underlining their rapid growth and ambition. From domestic success to continental recognition, Nairobi United have demonstrated resilience, quality, and a winning mentality throughout their journey.
In their highlight of the CAF campaign, Nairobi United knocked Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel out of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, winning 7–6 on penalties after a 2–2 aggregate draw to reach the group stage on their first attempt. .
The Kenyan side arrived in Sousse with a 2–0 cushion from the first leg, but ESS levelled the tie through Mohamed Anani’s strike on 48 minutes and a stoppage-time header from Ghofrane Naouali (90+6).
Naibois are currently placed 7th on the Football Kenya Federation Premier League log. With momentum building and fans expected to turn up in numbers, all eyes will be on Kasarani as the defending champions attempt to take another step toward retaining the FKF Cup crown and a return at the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup.