AFC Leopards chairman Bonface Ambani has called for an immediate promotion/relegation playoff between Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United, arguing that compromise from all parties could provide a way out of the prolonged standoff holding up the FKF Premier League.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsAmbani believes the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Sharks and Mombasa United must put aside their differences and find a workable solution that would allow the playoff to be played without creating another dispute over player eligibility.Harambee Stars secure friendly to make it 3 matches in 9 daysUnder the rules at the centre of the dispute, the playoff would ordinarily involve the squads that represented the two clubs at the end of the 2025/26 season. However, Ambani points out that Mombasa United have since undergone significant changes to their squad after releasing a number of players whose contracts expired and recruiting new ones ahead of the new campaign.##NAJAVA_MECA_9980515##He has therefore urged Sharks to compromise by allowing Mombasa United to field their current squad in the playoff, describing the situation as one that requires what he termed “King Solomon's wisdom” and adherence to the principle of fair play.“The only way to unlock this situation is to allow playoffs to take place. It will need a lot of wisdom from the three ends for the interest of football in this East African nation—Federation, Sharks and Mombasa United,” Ambani said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.Kenyan midfielder suffers late heartbreak against Arsenal in UEFA Women’s Champions League“Mombasa United should cede ground and accept a playoff. K-Sharks should also cede ground and allow Mombasa United to use the players it has in their current squad. This is where King Solomon's wisdom and the rule of fair play come into play.”Ambani argued that recalling players who have since left Mombasa United would be a difficult undertaking, making flexibility from the concerned parties necessary to break the deadlock.##NAJAVA_MECA_9981543##He also called on FKF and its National Executive Committee (NEC) to put their differences aside and resolve the matter during the current FIFA international window rather than allow the dispute to further disrupt the domestic calendar.“The FKF and NEC should put their differences aside, stop playing hardball for the interest of soccer and move fast within this FIFA international calendar and do the necessary,” he added.Former Gor Mahia midfielder completes move to Spanish sideAmbani further proposed that once an agreement is reached, the parties should withdraw the various court cases and allow the league to resume.The 2026/27 FKF Premier League was scheduled to kick off on Saturday, 19 September after various postponements, but was again put on ice after fresh court orders created conflicting directions over the participation of Sharks and Mombasa United. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9980513##The High Court in Murang’a directed that the season should not begin before the playoff between the two clubs is conducted, while another order from the High Court in Kiambu directed FKF to include Mombasa United as the 18th team.The dispute stems from the conflicting application of the 2019 and 2025 FKF regulations on promotion and relegation. Four Kenyan referees handed 2027 AFCON qualifier assignmentUnder the 2019 framework, a playoff was provided for between the third-lowest top-flight side and the third-placed National Super League (NSL) team, a provision at the centre of the current legal battle, but the 2025 regulations, which were introduced mid-season, scrapped the promotion/relegation playoff.With the league kickoff still uncertain, attention now turns to whether FKF, Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United can reach an agreement on the playoff and bring an end to the legal standoff that has delayed the new campaign.
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