The "Naibois" beat out stiff competition from legendary institutions, including rugby giants Kabras Sugar RFC and the Harambee Stars, to secure the top spot. The award serves as the ultimate validation for a club that, just twelve months ago, was competing in the second tier of Kenyan football.
A Historic Domestic Double
Nairobi United’s path to the SOYA podium was paved by an extraordinary 2024/25 domestic campaign. While still a National Super League (NSL) side, the club pulled off one of the greatest upsets in local cup history by clinching the Mozzart Bet Cup.
In a dramatic final at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, they defeated Kenya’s most successful club, Gor Mahia, with a 2-1 victory. This triumph was accompanied by their promotion to the FKF Premier League, marking a rare "double" of securing top-flight status and a major domestic trophy in the same season.
Continental Fairytale: The CAF Confederation Cup
The club’s ambitions did not stop at the Kenyan border. Representing the country in the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time, Nairobi United silenced skeptics by reaching the lucrative Group Stages.
Their journey to the continent's elite involved a nerve-wracking playoff against Tunisian powerhouse Étoile du Sahel. After a 2-2 aggregate draw, goalkeeper Kevin Oduor became the hero, saving two penalties and scoring the decisive spot-kick in a 7-6 shootout win in Sousse. This feat made Nairobi United one of the few Kenyan clubs to reach the group phase of a CAF inter-club competition on their debut attempt.
2025 SOYA Men's Team of the Year Standings
The following table highlights the top three teams recognized in the men's category during the 2025 gala:
Individual Excellence
The night also celebrated individual brilliance, with the overall Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year titles going to athletics stars Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Beatrice Chebet. However, the football fraternity took pride in seeing Nairobi United’s collective effort recognized as the standard-bearer for team sports in Kenya.
With this SOYA recognition, Nairobi United FC transitions from being "ambitious newcomers" to a certified powerhouse, setting a high bar for the 2025/2026 season in the FKF Premier League.