NSL: Naivas drop 13 in sweeping squad overhaul

National Super League side Naivas FC have confirmed a sweeping squad overhaul, parting ways with 13 players following their unsuccessful attempt to earn promotion to the FKF Premier League.

In an official statement, the club announced the exits and confirmed the promotion of five players from their youth team as they begin a rebuilding phase ahead of the 2025/26 season.

The shake-up comes just weeks after Naivas fell short in the Promotion/Relegation Playoff, losing 2-1 on aggregate to FKF Premier League side Posta Rangers.

Among the most notable departures is veteran goalkeeper Jacob Osano, formerly with Sofapaka, Nairobi City Stars, and Nairobi Stima.

Osano joined Naivas at the start of last season but struggled for consistent minutes between the posts.

 The club has also lost attacking star Mark Vivian Kesa, who signed from 2018 FKF Cup champions Kariobangi Sharks, and dependable defender Justus Akweywa, now with Shabana FC.

Former Nairobi City Stars midfielder Newton Ochieng is also on the list of exits and has been linked with a move to FKF Premier League side Bidco United.

 Other players released include Vincent Odongo, Bryson Juma, Francis Gethoi, Morgan Oduor, Kingsley Awuor, Peter Waithaka, Bonface Maundu, and former Murang’a Seal forward Athuman Rashid.

This is the second consecutive season of playoff heartbreak for Naivas, who also lost to Sofapaka in the 2023/24 decider.

 Under head coach Elvis Ayani, the club is now shifting focus to the new NSL season with hopes of securing automatic promotion to avoid the playoff route that has twice denied them a top-flight ticket.

“We wish them well in their next assignments and thank them for their service. We can also confirm that five youth players have been promoted to the main team,” the club said in its statement.

The Shoppers will be hoping the blend of youthful energy and a reshaped core will finally propel them into the FKF Premier League when the new campaign kicks off.