Soy United ready for new challenge after NSL promotion, says Adira

After confirming their promotion on Wednesday, Soy United captain Kevin Adira says the team’s focus is now shifting towards building momentum and preparing strongly for life in the National Super League (NSL).

Soy sealed their long-awaited return to Kenya’s second-tier football league following a hard-fought 1–0 victory over FC Bumbani Stars in the FKF Division One playoff match played at Dandora Stadium.

Alfred Ratolo’s 50th-minute strike made the difference, sending Soy back to the NSL for the first time in four years.

The win capped a determined campaign for Soy United, who overcame the disappointment of a delayed promotion decision caused by a Sports Disputes Tribunal ruling.

With Gucha Stars already promoted automatically, Soy’s triumph over Bumbani secured the final NSL slot.

After the historic win, skipper Adira expressed joy and gratitude, saying the team’s hard work and unity had finally paid off.

“We kept pushing even during pre-season because we truly believed we wanted to play in the NSL,” Adira said.

“When the playoff report came out, we accepted it calmly and told ourselves we must give everything. We stayed motivated and focused, knowing we were ready for this moment,” he added.

The captain described the promotion as a dream come true for both the players and the fans.

“It’s a dream that has come true, and I’m very grateful. I'm so happy. To our supporters, we thank you so much. Even during pre-season, we promised that we would play in the NSL — and today, we’ve delivered,” he added.

Adira also lauded the travelling fans that turned up in large numbers at Dandora Stadium to cheer the team on.

“We saw our fans travel all the way to Nairobi — it showed how much they love this team. We couldn’t afford to let them down,” he said.

With promotion now secured, Adira says the next target is to maintain their fighting spirit and push even higher.

“We’ve achieved our goal, but we won’t stop here. We want to keep working hard and stay focused,” he concluded.

The promotion marks a fresh chapter for Soy United, whose resilience has restored hope to the club after years of struggle.

As they prepare for life in the National Super League, the team will look to build on their renewed momentum, strengthen their squad, and continue inspiring their loyal fan base with the same fighting spirit that brought them back to Kenya’s second tier.