Mombasa United losing unity

Mombasa United players line up before a past Sportpesa League match. [Mombasa United]

Mombasa United’s nickname, the Sultans, suggests a side born to rule.

However, the Sultans have lost their crown before they could even establish their kingdom.

After six rounds of the 2026-2027 SportPesa Premier League, the coastal club is looking less like rulers and more like a team struggling to survive.

Instead of commanding respect, Mombasa have become easy opponents, collecting just one point from a possible 18 and sinking to the foot of the table.

Their difficult start continued at the weekend when they lost 3-2 to Shabana, making it five defeats in six matches.

The newbies opened their campaign with a 1-0 loss to Kakamega Homeboyz before falling 2-1 to Mara Sugar and 3-1 to KCB. They then lost 2-0 to Migori Youth.

Their only bright moment so far was a goalless draw against Kenya Police last month.

The numbers underline their struggle. Mombasa have scored only four goals and conceded 11, leaving them with a goal difference of minus seven.

They are seven points behind 17th-placed Mathare United and four adrift of Kakamega Homeboyz in 16th. With the season still young, there is time to recover, but the Sultans need to find answers quickly if they are to avoid being cut adrift.

Mombasa captain Hakimu Msami, however, believes their time will come despite the slow start.

“We know we have started the season poorly. Believe me, we are not sleeping. The boys are putting in the work week in week out. The morale is very high and we are woking towards getting our first win and building from that,” said Msami.

Mombasa are not alone in finding the early rounds difficult. The bottom three are separated by four points, although Kakamega and Migori have played five matches, while the rest of the sides have mostly completed six.

Kakamega have five points after one win, two draws and two defeats. Mathare, also on five, have managed one win and two draws in six matches, but three losses have kept them in the relegation zone. Mombasa are already five points behind them.

At the other end, KCB and defending champions Gor Mahia share the lead on 13 points, with both sides recording four wins, one draw and one defeat.

KCB sit first, but their numbers are identical to Gor’s: nine goals scored, five conceded and a goal difference of plus four.

The two sides have made the strongest early statements, although neither has built a gap at the top. Their rivalry could define the opening weeks of the campaign.

AFC Leopards are third on 10 points and remain unbeaten. They have won twice and drawn four times, showing consistency but also dropping points in half of their matches.

Kenya Police and Shabana follow on nine points. Police have two wins, three draws and one defeat, while Shabana have the same record and will take confidence from their weekend victory over Mombasa.