FKF Premier League: Gor Mahia, Tusker return to action as race for title hots up

Photo Credit - Tusker FC Media.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League champions Gor Mahia will have a chance to close in on the summit when they take on Sofapaka at Dandora Stadium on Saturday.

The record champions, who are sitting third on the 16-team table, will keep pressure on leaders Kenya Police FC and second-placed Tusker if they manage to haul maximum points from Batoto ba Mungu. Police are sitting top with 49 points from 26 matches, while the Brewers are second with 48 points from the same number of matches.

For K’Ogalo, they have garnered 46 points from 25 outings, but have played one match less. While Police will face Ulinzi Stars, Tusker will also have the opportunity to protect their second spot or even move top with a home game against struggling Nairobi City Stars at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Sunday.

Gor Mahia under Sinisa Mihic, will be seeking to seal a double over Sofapaka, whom they beat 2-0 in the first round meeting. However, Sofapaka have not been easy prey for the champions, as the fixture has always produced few goals in recent years.

Last season, the two sides battled to a 1-1 draw in the first round meeting but K’Ogalo recovered to register a 1-0 win on their way to lift a record 21st league title. In the previous campaign, the fixture did not produce a winner as the first round ended in a 0-0 draw and the reverse fixture concluding 0-0.

In the 2022 season, Gor Mahia won the first round fixture 1-0 but the return fixture ended in a 0-0 draw. While Gor Mahia are sitting third, Batoto ba Mungu are placed eighth on the log with 36 points from 26 matches. They have secured nine wins, nine draws and suffered eight defeats.

Mara Sugar will host KCB while Bandari will invite Kakamega Homeboyz in Mombasa. On Sunday, all eyes will be on the Tusker versus Simba wa Nairobi fixture at Machakos.

The Brewers will head into the fixture as favourites having not lost to City Stars in the last six league matches. The last time City Stars managed to beat Tusker was in the 2022 season, a 1-0 away win.

Since then, Tusker have dominated the fixture, winning three times and the other two ending in a draw. Tusker won the first round meeting 1-0, while last season, they won the first round fixture 3-1 before the second round contest ended in a 2-2 draw.

Also on Sunday, fourth placed Shabana FC will take on FC Talanta at Dandora Stadium seeking to register their 11th win of the campaign. Tore Bobe have amassed 40 points from 26 matches, and a win against Talanta will keep them within a touching distance of Gor Mahia, if the champions fail to win their fixture.

Saturday;

Sofapaka vs Gor Mahia – Dandora Stadium – 3pm

Mara Sugar vs KCB – Awendo Green Stadium – 2pm

Bandari FC vs Kakamega Homeboyz – Mbaraki Sports Club – 3pm

Sunday;

Murang’a Seal vs Kariobangi Sharks – SportPesa Arena – 3pm

Bidco United vs Mathare United – Kenyatta Stadium – 1pm

Tusker vs Nairobi City Stars – Kenyatta Stadium – 4pm

FC Talanta vs Shabana FC – Dandora Stadium – 3pm