Former AFC Leopards chair draws Doku comparison with Shariff Musa ahead of title-defining clash
Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 22.05.26. | 10:00
Shikanda, a respected football administrator and former attacker who featured for both Gor and Leopards during his playing days, singled out Gor winger Musa Shariff as the player capable of inspiring K’Ogalo to a record-extending 22nd league crown
Former AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has stirred fresh debate in the closing stages of the 2025/26 FKF Premier League season after publicly backing arch-rivals Gor Mahia to clinch the league title.
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Shikanda, a respected football administrator and former attacker who featured for both Gor and Leopards during his playing days, singled out Gor winger Musa Shariff as the player capable of inspiring K’Ogalo to a record-extending 22nd league crown.
In a lengthy post published on his Facebook page, Shikanda praised Shariff’s influence in Gor Mahia’s title charge, comparing the winger’s explosive style of play to that of Jérémy Doku of Manchester City.
“Shariff Musa has been outstanding in Gor Mahia’s relentless push to win the KPL trophy and secure their 22nd title,” wrote Shikanda.
“Shariff’s twin brother in the EPL, Jeremy Doku of Man City, nicknamed after Shariff Musa in Europe because of their identical football DNA and explosive pace, unfortunately failed to help Manchester City through Everton and Bournemouth over 180 painful minutes, handing Arsenal the title they had waited for 22 years.”
The outspoken football administrator described Shariff as one of the most exciting players in the local top flight, citing his blistering pace, dribbling ability, and match-winning contributions as key reasons Gor Mahia remains a favorite in the tightly contested title race.
The former Kariobangi Sharks and Murang'a Seal winger has enjoyed a stellar campaign, emerging as one of Gor Mahia’s most influential attacking outlets this season.
Shariff has so far registered six goals and eight assists, directly contributing to 14 goals in the league campaign.
His latest standout display came in Gor Mahia’s emphatic 3-1 victory over former club Murang’a Seal, where he found the back of the net and provided two assists in a dominant attacking performance.
Shikanda further sensationally likened Shariff’s final two league matches to Doku’s title-race pressure moments in England, insisting the Gor Mahia winger now faces his own defining spell.
“Shariff Musa, who is a pure joy to watch, faces his own 180 minutes of destiny as Gor play Mara Sugar and Nairobi United. Can he produce where his twin brother Jeremy Doku fell short?” posed Shikanda.
“Can Shariff Musa go one step further than his brother Jeremy Doku and gift Raila the 2025/2026 KPL title posthumously? Your guess is as good as mine.”
Despite openly backing Gor Mahia, Shikanda maintained that the title race is far from over, warning against ruling out AFC Leopards in the closing stages of the campaign as he singled out Kenya U20 midfielder Kelly Madada as key to guiding Ingwe to a surprising end.
“Kindly don’t rule out Kelly Madada’s AFC Leopards because football has a strange habit of producing miracles, heartbreaks and chaos exactly when people think the script has already been written. It’s not over till it’s over,” he added.
His remarks have since sparked heated reactions across the local football scene, particularly among AFC Leopards supporters, many of whom were left disappointed by his public endorsement of their fiercest rivals despite previously serving as chairman of the club.
With the season nearing its climax, Gor Mahia currently leads the FKF Premier League standings on 68 points, four ahead of AFC Leopards on 64.
The Charles Akonnor-led side could officially be crowned champions on Sunday should they secure victory against Mara Sugar while AFC Leopards fail to overcome high-flying APS Bomet.