Six lessons learned from FKF Premier League matchweek 18

Two of the biggest clubs in the land, Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, continue to spice up the 2025/26 FKF Premier League season, occupying the fulcrum of the title race.

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Enjoying the greatest following in the country, the two clubs’ matches attract massive attention, following and attendance, and therefore it is in the interest of the league and Kenyan football at large that they perform well.

While K’Ogalo have been impressive over the past decade, the same cannot be said of their arch-rivals, AFC Leopards, who continue to endure a 28-year wait for the title.

However, Ingwe have been on form this season, showing title credentials and are neck to neck with K’Ogalo in search of the title.

As has been the case this season, the two teams once again grabbed the headlines, and together with other encounters that took place in matchweek 18, Mozzart Sport picked some lessons having covered all the matches.

Who will blink first? Neither Gor nor Leopards

Over the past few weeks, Leta Tebo (bring the league table) has been on the lips of both Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards fans, especially when their respective teams win a match in the ongoing title race.

The call, largely directed to Mozzart Sport senior writer Kevin Teya, has spiced up the league and dominated the internet.

The calm was louder over the weekend, starting with Saturday, 24 January, when Gor Mahia scored a 97th-minute goal to secure a 2-1 win over Bidco United to open a three-point gap before Leopards won 1-0 in their Sunday, 25 January clash against Sofapaka.

In the end, the two teams are tied on 36 points and are only separated by a goal difference of two.

As it stands, no team is showing signs of blinking, with stakeholders hoping that the race goes down to the wire in order to improve the league’s stature.

Assifuah should lead Gor Mahia's attack

On Thursday, 22 January, Mozzart Sport shared an analytical piece on whether Gor Mahia have found Benson Omala’s replacement in Ghanaian striker Ebenezer Assifuah.

Since the departure of the newly signed Nairobi United forward, K’Ogalo have been struggling to find his replacement, with several signings failing to impress the team’s faithful.

However, that might change if Assifuah’s early performance is anything to go by. The former Le Havre forward expertly received the ball in the box from Ebenezer Adukwaw with his back facing the goal.

In a split second, Assifuah was able to control the ball, making a 360° turn before unleashing a shot that caught the Bidco goalkeeper off guard as it flew into the back of the net.

With two goals and two assists to his name, Assifuah, whose appearances have been from the bench, is now ready to lead the line for K’Ogalo.

Concentration lapse cost Shabana

Over two legs, Shabana FC versus APS Bomet is so far the highest scoring fixture in the league this season, with 12 goals scored, six apiece in the first leg and second leg.

The two teams battled out to a 3-3 draw in a match played at the Kericho Green Stadium on Saturday, 24 January.

Shabana had a 3-1 lead in the 79th minute, with APS also reduced to 10 men following a Chris Wilunda red card, but APS scored two goals in three minutes through the on-form Philip Wasai and Lawrence Kibet.

Coach Peter Okidi attributed the draw to a lack of concentration in his team, particularly the defense which cost them two points.

Koutima answers all Police's striking questions

Newly signed Kenya Police FC striker Yves Koutima could not have come to the Law Enforcers at a better time than now. The forward has been lethal in front of goal and has now scored three goals in three games.

With Police experiencing challenges in the first leg, the Congolese forward is now banging goals and proving to be the difference, especially in their last three matches.

Bidco, Sharks living on borrowed time

League strugglers Bidco United and Kariobangi Sharks may be enjoying their final season at Kenya’s top flight if their current struggles persist.

The two are currently the top candidates in the relegation matrix and are all enduring a poor run that could prove costly at the end of the season.

Sharks have won only two games this season and are on a five-match winless run, while Bidco have not tasted victory in their last 13 league matches.

Military side surrenders inside their barracks

Ulinzi Stars made an unprecedented move by refusing to play over what they termed as poor officiating in their clash against Murang'a Seal on Sunday, 25 January.

The military side took the lead in the 10th minute through Paul Okoth before Joe Waithira equalised from the spot in the 34th minute.

However, things went south when Waithira scored in the 94th minute. Ulinzi believed that there was a handball in the build-up to the goal, while the Soldiers were also denied a penalty for an earlier tackle on Lesharn Ole Mootian.

With the 2010 champions declining to restart the match, the referees walked off the pitch and declared the match abandoned, with the matter now at the doorstep of the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee.