Gor Mahia receive huge title race boost as winger returns from month-long layoff

Record Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) champions Gor Mahia have received a timely boost in their bid for the 2025/26 league title following the return of winger Bryson Wangai from injury.

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The pacy wide attacker has been sidelined for just over a month after sustaining a nagging ankle injury late last year.

The former Bongonaya FC winger picked up the setback during Gor Mahia’s narrow 1-0 victory over Tusker FC on 22 November, a match decided by an own goal from defender Brian Opondo.

A moment of miscommunication between Teka and goalkeeper Brian Opondo saw the ball slip beneath the Harambee Stars custodian’s legs, handing K’Ogalo all three points, but at the cost of losing one of their most explosive attackers.

Wangai’s absence stretched to five weeks, during which he missed nine league matches.

The run included the high-profile Mashemeji Derby, where Gor Mahia fell 1-0 to AFC Leopards, as well as a shock 4-1 defeat to league debutants APS Bomet.

K’Ogalo also endured draws against Bandari FC and Shabana FC but responded with emphatic statement victories, thrashing Kariobangi Sharks 4-1, edging a resurgent Murang’a Seal 3-2, dismantling Mara Sugar 3-0, claiming a crucial narrow win over fellow title contenders Kakamega Homeboyz, and staging a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory against Bidco United last weekend.

The winger’s return now hands Gor Mahia a clean bill of health ahead of their weekend fixture against 2009 champions Sofapaka FC on Saturday 31, January at Nyayo National Stadium, with head coach Charles Akonnor enjoying a fully fit squad for the first time in weeks.

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Confirming Wangai’s comeback, the club issued an update stating.

“After a hard-fought recovery from last year’s injury, Bryson is officially back on the pitch with the team, training well as he works his way back to peak condition.”

Earlier in the week, K’Ogalo had also announced the return of several other sidelined players, including midfielders Lawrence Juma and Ben Stanley, who has recovered from an ankle strain picked up against Shabana FC, and long-term absentees Geoffrey Ochieng and Lewis Bandi.

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Vice-captain Ochieng had been out for nearly seven months following knee surgery, while former AFC Leopards vice-captain Bandi had yet to feature since joining the club in August after the 2024 African Nations Championship.

The return of the quintet could prove decisive for the record 21-time league champions, who are keen to avoid a repeat of last season’s rare trophyless campaign.

Gor Mahia currently sits atop the FKF-PL standings on 36 points, level with archrivals AFC Leopards, setting the stage for an intense title race as the season gathers momentum.