Soy United have officially booked their place in the 2025/26 FKF National Super League (NSL) after edging out Coast-based Bumbani Stars 1-0 in a tense playoff encounter at Dandora Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The victory completes the 20-team NSL lineup for the new season, with Soy joining fellow promoted sides Gucha Stars and Kabati Youth in the second-tier league.
In what was billed as a make-or-break fixture, both teams began the match with intensity, exchanging attacking opportunities early on. The opening 20 minutes saw no goals but offered plenty of promise, as both sides tested each other’s defensive setups. Bumbani’s direct play and Soy United’s controlled buildup hinted at a potential breakthrough, but the deadlock held firm.
The game’s first real moment of danger came in the 29th minute when Soy’s forward Alfred Ratolo found space to test the Bumbani goalkeeper, who reacted swiftly to punch the ball away for a corner. Despite several close chances, the match remained goalless at the break.
A double substitution at halftime ; Joseph Wafula for Soy and Shughuli for Bumbani — signaled tactical shifts, and within minutes of the restart, Soy United made the breakthrough. In the 48th minute, Ratolo finally found the back of the net, calmly slotting home after a smart assist from Peter Okello, sparking wild celebrations on the Soy bench.
Soy nearly doubled their lead midway through the second half when Ratolo once again found himself in a threatening position, but his shot cannoned off the woodwork. As the match wore on, both teams turned to their benches for reinforcements. Soy brought on Dennis Shigami in the 67th minute, while head coach Jeffers Odongo made a triple substitution in the 80th minute to maintain the pressure and see out the result.
Bumbani Stars responded with late changes of their own but could not find a way through the resolute Soy backline. The match’s intensity boiled over briefly in the 86th minute when Bumbani picked up the game’s first booking for a foul on substitute Harrison Mwandike.
After four minutes of added time, the final whistle confirmed Soy United’s 1-0 win and with it, a deserved promotion to the FKF National Super League.
The result brings to an end a highly competitive promotion race from FKF Division One. Soy United now prepare for life in the NSL, where they’ll look to continue their upward trajectory in a league that’s already proving unpredictable after just two rounds.
