Mathare United coach John Kamau has warned that there will be no preferential treatment for his players as he builds a competitive team ahead of the new Football Kenya Federation PL campaign.

Speaking to the club’s Facebook portal, following a series of friendly ties this Saturday, August 23, 2025, Kamau stated that player selection will be based on an individual’s performance rather than a profile of their history.

“Basically here we don’t give you playing time based on history; instead, it is based on what one gives in the training sessions heading into the season.

“So far we are happy with the new signings. We have been experimenting with pushing Yobo (Jacob Onyango) to a more advanced position. He is doing well there rather than playing in a deeper role,” he stated while speaking on one of the team’s new recruits.

League opener

With the new league season set to kick off on Saturday, September 20, 2025, the coach opined that much of the remaining time remains to weigh out different strategies for the team as they seek to adopt a suitable playing style heading into the new season.

“We will want to build our style of play and also adopt a system of play by the end of the season,” he stated.

Onyango is part of the club’s new arrival alongside John Macharia, who joined the club from Bandari FC.

The latter was part of Gor Mahia’s title-winning team, two seasons ago and is expected to bring much steel and experience to the Slum Boys fold

According to the opening-day fixtures revealed by the Football Kenyan Federation, Mathare will start off their campaign against Posta Rangers.

The clash slated for Kasarani Annex starting at 4:00 pm on Monday, August 22, 2025, will conclude the round one fixtures.

Other clashes of the opening week will see Kariobangi Sharks square off against Bandari on Sunday, August 21, 2025, at the Kasarani Annex starting at 1:00 pm.

League newbies APS Bomet will be visitors to the Gusii stadium to face Shabana FC on Sunday, August 21, 2025. The clash will kick off at 2:00 pm.

Muranga Seal, who escaped relegation by a whisker, will host Ulinzi Stars on the same day at the San Sebastian Park starting at 3:00 pm.