Defending champions Nairobi United saw their Mozzart Bet Cup title defence collapse at the quarterfinal stage after a narrow 1-0 defeat to KCB at the Ulinzi Complex, a result that headlined a weekend packed with tension, late drama and statement performances across all fixtures, with the added weight that the eventual winner will go on to represent Kenya in the CAF Confederation Cup.
KCB approached the contest with urgency and nearly struck inside the opening two minutes when Richard Omondi forced an early save from Benard Jairo. The bankers kept the pressure on through Boniface Omondi Bajaj and December Kisakah, with Mohammed Siraj linking play smoothly as they searched for an early breakthrough.
Nairobi United gradually settled and began to threaten in moments. Michael Karamor came closest in the 29th minute but headed wide, while Duncan Omala’s long throws repeatedly tested the KCB backline. Despite those flashes, clear openings were limited in a tightly contested affair.The decisive moment arrived in the 34th minute when Kisakah slipped a precise pass into Omondi’s path, and the forward finished calmly past Jairo to hand KCB the lead. Nairobi United pushed after the break but found no way through as KCB remained compact and disciplined to eliminate the holders and book their place in the last 4.
Earlier at the same venue, Tusker FC edged Ulinzi Stars 2-1 in another fiercely contested tie. The two sides battled evenly in midfield before Erick Kapaito broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, reacting quickest after Ricks Omondi parried Yakeen Mutheli’s effort into his path.
Ulinzi nearly found a response 6 minutes later, but Paul Odhiambo headed wide from a Boniface Muchiri delivery as their search for an equaliser continued. The game stayed finely balanced deep into stoppage time until the big Tanzanian Ibrahim Joshua struck in the 92nd minute, finishing from close range after Ian Simiyu’s determined run down the left to seal Tusker’s progression.
Saturday’s action had already set the tone for the quarterfinal drama. Kenya Police FC secured a hard fought 1-0 win over Shabana FC, relying on Abud Omar’s expertly taken free kick to separate the sides in a disciplined display.
In the opening fixture, Bandari FC were pushed all the way by Division One side Mfalme FC in a thrilling encounter. The Dockers took the lead before Mfalme responded, and the contest quickly turned into an end to end battle. Mfalme equalised, fell behind again, and still found a way to respond, with the first half ending 3-2 in Bandari’s favour in a game that never lost its intensity.
With the quarterfinal stage complete, the semifinal lineup now promises two compelling encounters. Kenya Police FC will face Bandari FC, while KCB FC take on Tusker FC, with the matches scheduled for May 16 and 17, 2026 as the race for the Mozzart Bet Cup title gathers pace and the prize of continental football edges closer.
