After a lengthy court battle surrounding the FKF Premier League promotion/relegation playoffs, Mombasa United fully maximised on home advantage to secure a 2-1 win over Kariobangi Sharks in a clash played on Thursday, 1 October at Mbaraki Sports Club.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsAt the heart of the protracted dispute is the applicability of the 2025 FKF rules, which provide for the automatic relegation of three teams from the top flight.Under those rules, Kariobangi Sharks, who finished 16th in the FKF Premier League last season, would have been relegated automatically.AFCON 2027 preparations gather pace as Kenya advances Talanta Stadium rail linkThe club argued that the 2025 rules were passed after the start of the 2025/26 season and demanded for the 2019 regulations to apply, under which the team finishing 16th in the top flight would face the third-placed team from the National Super League in a two-legged playoff to determine who plays in the top flight.The eventual mediation between the two clubs paved the way for the playoff to proceed, with both sides agreeing to settle the matter on the pitch.Enjoying home advantage in the first leg, Mombasa United had an early chance in the opening minute from a foul just outside the box but Jamal Oporia could only direct his free kick straight to the keeper.Redemption time for Benni McCarthy as Harambee Stars take on Guinea in ConakrySharks replied with a chance of their own, Steve Mbulere dribbled past his marker before delivering a sumptuous cross down from the right wing but the hawk eyed defense cleared their lines.The speedy winger was back at it in the third minute but this time Mzee Hassan was forced to head the ball out for a corner.The flurry of chances in the early stages of the match continued in the fifth minute, Christian Lubulu found space down the right but his shot flew over the bar.##NAJAVA_MECA_9994823##David Polepole wasted a glorious chance to give Sharks the lead in the 11th minute when he received a cut back from a Zablon Kutela overlap but poorly connected to it with his effort going over the bar.The match seemed to have settled from the 15th minute when both teams started enjoying slightly longer spells in possession.Mombasa United were the recipients of the next chance, Hassan delivering an enticing cross in the 20th minute from the left side that found Lubulu but his header was feeble and well collected by Omondi in the sharks goal.English manager explains why Harambee Stars have landed a gem in teenage wingerThe home side was back at it two minutes later when from a quickly taken free kick, Waziri Shentembo was through on goal but Omondi was alert to leave his line and make a save, at the expense of a knock that called for first aid.Mombasa engaged a higher gear and had another chance in the 37th minute, when from a Ghai Panchol foul outside the box, Oporia delivered a dangerous free kick that called for a fingertip save from Omondi.From the resultant corner kick, Mzee Hassan who was a thorn in the flesh on the Sharks defense missed the target by a whisker from what was a short corner.##NAJAVA_MECA_9995886##Oporia had another chance fall his way in the 43rd minute when he received a loose ball just outside the danger zone but his effort once again could not find the target even as the two teams settled for a goalless draw at the break.In the second half, Sharks introduced Yusuf Hassan for Keagan Ndemi in a bid to have control of the midfield.The Premier League side also withdrew Panchol and Austine Tandasi for Wayne Otieno and Fidel Otieno.Embu set for Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern regional showdownHowever, it was Mombasa United still on the ascendency with their momentum eventually paying off in the 64th minute.From a transitional attack, Peter Abiola was brought down in the box with Brooke Phillips pointing to the spot amidst protests from Sharks players.Dennis Mabeya then stepped forward to calmly slot the ball on the left side, sending Omomdi the wrong way and giving the home side a lead in the 62nd minute from the spot that sent the stadium into a frenzy.##NAJAVA_MECA_9995890##The goal seemed to have disoriented Sharks who were unsettled and got punished in the 73rd minute when Mzee on the overlap delivered a pin-point cross that was met by Shentembo who slotted it home from close range to give his team a two-goal caution.Sharks found a way back into the tie in the 83rd minute when Wayne Otieno profited from a cut-back to half the deficit for Sharks but Mombasa United held on to their lead till the final whistle to secure a vital 2-1 win.The two sides will meet once again in the second leg on Thursday 6 October in Nairobi with everything to play for.Blow for Emerging Stars as influential midfielder ruled out for remainder of the yearSharks Starting XI: Collins Omondi, Steve Mbulere, Zeblon Kutera, Ian Taifa, Ghai Panchol, Patillah Omoto, Faiz Opande, Keagan Ndemi, Franklin Amollo, Austine Tandasi, David Polepole.Mombasa United Starting XI: Williams Chigozie, Lazaro Odhiambo, Hakimu Msami, Dennis Mabeya , Mzee Hassan, Christian Lubulu, Peter Abiola, Jamal Oporia , Jackson Watee, Waziri Shenhtembo, Adeyemi Mogbademu.