Newcomers Nairobi United kicked off their time in the top-flight FKF Premier League with a major 1-0 victory over Mara Sugar.

The historic win was thanks to a superb second-half volley from winger Ovella Ochieng, who scored the club’s very first goal in the league.

The win was secured by star goalkeeper Bernard Jairo, who made several amazing saves to stop Mara Sugar from scoring.

This result proves that the Naibois are ready to compete in the top league and build momentum, especially as they also prepare for a major African continental tournament.

Nairobi United, the newest team in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League, announced their arrival with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Mara Sugar on October 1, 2025. 

Playing their first-ever top-tier match at Awendo Green Stadium, the promoted side, nicknamed the “Naibois,” secured a historic win thanks to a spectacular second-half volley from veteran winger Ovella Ochieng’s. 

This debut win earns the club three vital points and immediately validates their ambition on the highest stage of Kenyan football.

The season opener was an intense affair, with both teams showing nerves and caution. 

Mara Sugar, who came into the game looking for their first win of the season after two draws, started strong, even forcing a desperate defensive clearance that rattled the crossbar early on. 

However, the first half ended without a goal, turning into a cautious midfield battle.

The deadlock finally broke just four minutes into the second half. 

Following a long throw-in, the ball fell to Ochieng, a 28-year-old winger with significant top-flight experience. 

He didn’t hesitate, unleashing a powerful volley that sailed into the top corner of the net past the Mara Sugar goalkeeper, Evans Omondi. 

Ochieng’s goal was not just a personal highlight but the club’s inaugural top-tier goal, sparking huge celebrations on the pitch.

“This is what we’ve worked for—our first goal, our first win,” Ochieng shared after the match, emphasizing the significance of the moment for a club that dominated the second-tier National Super League (NSL) with 58 goals last season.

While Ochieng provided the offense, the win was secured by the defense, anchored by goalkeeper Bernard Jairo. 

As Mara Sugar pushed hard for an equalizer, making key substitutions to increase their attacking threat, Jairo stood firm. 

He made several spectacular saves, including clawing away a dangerous header and denying repeated efforts from the refreshed Mara attack. 

His heroic performance earned him man-of-the-match praise, with coach Anthony Muyoti noting, “Jairo was immense—those saves kept us in it.”

For Nairobi United, this hard-fought victory validates the journey of a club founded just in 2018 that rose quickly through the ranks. 

Their win sets a strong tone for the season, especially as they balance domestic competition with an ambitious continental schedule. 

The Naibois recently advanced in the CAF Confederation Cup qualifiers and are now set to face Tunisian powerhouse Etoile du Sahel.

Coach Muyoti is focused on establishing the team’s presence, aiming for a mid-table finish before fully shifting focus to their continental push. 

Next up, Nairobi United will host Police FC on October 5, presenting an early chance to build momentum and show the league that the underdog is here to compete.