In a move widely hailed as a game changer, Mozzart Bet has stepped in to sponsor two of Nyanza region’s National Super League (NSL) clubs , Kisumu All Stars and Migori Youth ; offering a much-needed financial lifeline to sides that have long operated under the weight of severe logistical and financial constraints. The Ksh. 6 million annual sponsorship to each club may not cover the entirety of their budgets, but it represents a significant step toward stability and competitiveness.

For Kisumu All Stars, the Mozzart sponsorship comes as a timely intervention following a challenging 2024/25 season marred by logistical nightmares and financial distress. The club was frequently forced to turn to the public for help, with social media appeals and fundraising campaigns becoming the norm each time the team had to travel for away matches. On many occasions, the squad would be stranded after fixtures, unable to afford transport back home. Player wages remained inconsistent, with fans and well-wishers stepping in to keep the squad afloat.

One such appeal, posted on Official Kisumu All stars Social media handle captured the dire reality. The club called upon supporters to help them honor an away fixture in Mombasa, posting an M-Pesa till number in a desperate attempt to raise travel funds. The post went viral, but also underscored the unsustainable state of affairs in which Kisumu All Stars had been operating.

Despite these difficulties, All Stars managed to punch above their weight, finishing 8th in a competitive 19-team NSL. Their resilience and the raw talent of their players stood out, with many using the platform to showcase their skills in the hope of attracting interest from top-tier clubs.

While Ksh. 6 million may not stretch far enough to fully fund all 19 away fixtures , given the vast distances in NSL travel , it is expected to cover up to three-quarters of the club’s travel needs. Combined with revenue from jersey sales and matchday gate collections with the ticketing going digital [E-ticketing] this season , Kisumu All Stars may now be in a position to focus more on football and less on survival.

Migori Youth, who finished 12th last season, are also set to benefit immensely. Like All Stars, they operated without a shirt sponsor and largely depended on community goodwill. This new financial injection could be the catalyst they need to stabilize operations and mount a stronger campaign in the 2025/26 season. They’ve already made a statement of intent, starting the season with a 1-0 win over Mwatate United.

Kisumu All Stars, meanwhile, are yet to kick off their campaign after their scheduled opening match against Compel FC was postponed due to the latter’s unresolved league status. Kisumu All Stars are now under the guidance of new head coach Billy Agai, who takes over following the departure of their previous manager to fellow NSL side MOFA. Agai’s appointment comes at a critical juncture, with expectations now rising for a serious promotion push.

Looking at the broader picture, the sponsorship by Mozzart could not have come at a better time for football in Luo Nyanza. Once a hotbed of talent and home to multiple top-tier clubs such as Chemelil Sugar, Sony Sugar, and Muhoroni Youth, the region now has no representative in the FKF Premier League. The collapse of the sugar companies that backed these clubs saw them fold or fall into lower tiers, leaving a void that has yet to be filled.

Kisumu All Stars briefly brought back Premier League football to the region when they earned promotion in the 2018/19 season after finishing second in the NSL. However, their stay was short-lived , they were relegated the following year after losing a playoff to Vihiga United on penalties. Once again, financial limitations had made it difficult to build a team capable of competing at the highest level.

Now, with structured sponsorship and renewed ambition, the dream of returning to the top flight is alive again. For fans in Kisumu, Migori, and the wider Nyanza region, this could be the beginning of a football renaissance : one that brings back pride, professionalism, and competitive football to an area that once lit up Kenya’s football scene.