Kariobangi Sharks chairman Richard Maoga believes the club’s involvement in the prolonged promotion and relegation standoff was ultimately good for Kenyan footballDownload our Mozzart Sport app for more newsSharks finished 16th in the 2025/26 FKF Premier League and became central to a dispute over their relegation, with Mombasa United’s promotion from the National Super League (NSL) also caught up in the impasse.##NAJAVA_MECA_9985322##The disagreement triggered court proceedings and contributed to the delay of the 2026/27 FKF Premier League season before a breakthrough was reached on Thursday, 24 September.FKF, Sharks, and Mombasa agreed to settle the matter through a two-legged playoff, with the winner securing a place in the top flight for the new season.Speaking to Mozzart Sport after the agreement, Maoga said the club’s determination to have the rules followed could benefit other teams in the future.“When the rules are followed, everybody and every team will be okay. That is what we have been insisting on.Today it was Sharks complaining. Tomorrow it will be another team. I believe it was good for football that it involved us and we had the temerity to withstand pressure and insist on the rules. Maybe that would not be the case if it were a different team,” said Maoga.Benni McCarthy on why there will be no mercy when Kenya face South AfricaThe experienced administrator also explained why Sharks agreed to the use of players currently registered with the two clubs, rather than restricting the playoff to those who featured for them during the 2025/26 campaign.Maoga said securing the playoff was the club’s primary objective and that agreeing to use current squads was part of the compromise required to resolve the standoff.“Our main issue was having a playoff. Having succeeded in that, we also gave in to the use of current players for the playoffs. It was just logical that we agree on a give-and-take situation to have a win-win formula.When we were promoted into the league, we signed new players and I do not think they helped our course. From that experience, I believe it is wise to proceed with the players that have been training with us,” he added.AFCON 2027: Sifuna questions rising Talanta Stadium construction costMaoga also thanked the parties involved in finding a solution, particularly FKF NEC members Peter Kamau, popularly known as Kass Kass, and Abdalla Yusuf, who led the negotiations.“I would like to appreciate the efforts of all parties, FKF and Mombasa United, in solving the debacle,” he said.United will host the first leg on Thursday, 1 October, before Sharks welcome them to Nairobi for the return leg on Tuesday, 6 October.
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