Mara Sugar Boss Slams FKF Over Nairobi United's Dandora 'Advantage' After Missing Chance to Face Gor Mahia in Final

Mara Sugar coach Edward Manoah has torn into FKF's decision to have their Cup semi-final clash against Nairobi United played at the Dandora Stadium.

Mara Sugar head coach Edward Manoah has taken aim at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), accusing them of handing Nairobi United an undue advantage by staging their FKF Cup semi-final showdown at the Dandora Stadium.

His side was eliminated from the competition after falling 3-1 on penalties to Nairobi United following a 1-1 draw in regulation time—missing the chance to battle Gor Mahia in what would have been a historic final appearance on June 14.

Clearly frustrated, Manoah questioned the fairness of the federation’s decision to schedule the clash at a venue that has regularly hosted Nairobi United’s matches.

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Manoah: The Federation Were Bias to Nairobi United

“I think the federation were not wise enough. They were ignorant,” said Manoah. “You cannot give the team an advantage. Since the tournament started, we have travelled all over the country, while United have played only here.”

According to him, the Dandora setting gave United what he called a “100 percent advantage,” especially considering his squad’s unfamiliarity with the venue compared to their opponents.

“If they go on like this, they will be a one-term federation,” he warned, criticising what he saw as poor planning and decision-making.

Despite the bitterness of the loss, Manoah acknowledged the element of luck in football.

“It is what it is. We were just not lucky. Against Police, it was our day, but today the luck belonged to Nairobi United—and congratulations to them,” he offered.

The coach, however, pointed out that Nairobi United's experience played a big role in the match.

“Experience counted against us,” he admitted. “Nairobi United have a lot of experienced players who’ve been in the Premier League. That helped them meet their objectives. For our team, most of these players were playing top-flight football for the first time.”

Still hopeful despite the disappointment, Manoah expressed optimism that Mara Sugar will avoid relegation. They currently sit 13th on the table with 35 points, just two ahead of 16th-placed Murang’a Seal—whom they face next, followed by a final league clash with Kariobangi Sharks.

“I’m confident we will survive relegation,” said Manoah. “But I just have one plea to the federation, with a humble and cheerful heart—there is no need to punish us for something we did not do.”

Manoah Makes Plea To Robert Macharia And Hussein Mohammed

He called for fairness in the remaining games, especially given the stakes involved and the influence held by Murang’a Seal's top officials.

The club chairman Robert Macharia, is an FKF National Executive Committee (NEC) member representing central region, while his Vice Chairman Hussein Mohammed is the current President of the federation. 

“Murang’a Seal have two members of the FKF NEC sitting in office—the chairman and the vice chairman,” he said. “We have no influence. I just pray and hope they can maintain transparency and be fair.”

With two crucial fixtures remaining, Manoah’s remarks underscore the high tension surrounding both Mara Sugar’s survival battle and the broader integrity of league governance.