Six lessons learned from FKF Premier League match week 20
Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 17.02.26. | 12:19
Community clubs continue to flourish as Bidco United stare at the possibility of dropping to the second tier
The Football Kenya Federation Premier League witnessed interesting twists and turns following the conclusion of last weekend's matches.
The race for the title got more interesting, with a fierce battle also being witnessed at the other end of the log.
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Mozzart Sport covered the matches and here are some of the lessons picked across various venues, that played hots to mathes.
Gor Mahia's experience
The record league champions and coach Charles Akonnor faced criticism for dropping points in crucial matches.
However, the team appears to have developed the ability to win matches against unpredictable opponents.
This was well demonstrated last weekend when Gor Mahia beat APS Bomet 2-1 at the Kericho Green Stadium.
An early goal from Ghanaian import Ebenezer Assifuah and an 81st-minute strike by Jackson Dwang earned Gor all three points.
Hansel Ochieng netted the consolation goal for APS Bomet.
The win took Gor six points clear at the summit.
Gor are seemingly benefiting from their experience in the title race as well as the experience of individual players in the team.
Whatever is working for them, K’Ogalo are now showing serious signs of reclaiming the league title.
Are AFC Leopards losing steam?
AFC Leopards were on top of their game in the past two months or so, to the extent that they were going neck-to-neck with their bitter rivals, Gor Mahia.
After every win, their fans would reach out to Mozzart Sport Senior Reporter for an updated league table.
However, the team appears to be losing steam after playing Bandari to a barren draw last weekend.
In the end, the 1998 league champions find themselves six points off Gor Mahia even though they have a game in hand.
Leopards fans will be keen to see their side rediscover their winning formula if they are to end their 28-year wait for a league title.
Community clubs taking charge
A community club is a team managed, owned, or largely supported by the locals, as compared to a private owner or entity running all its affairs.
In essence, a team might be owned by a company or individual, but still become a community club by creating its own community from the locals.
A look at the league table shows that community clubs assumed leadership of the log, taking all the positions in the top five bracket.
Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, Shabana, Murang'a Seal, and Kalamega Homeboyz are largely the most supported top-flight teams in Kenya, and their impressive performances are good for the growth of the game.
Patience paying for Seal
The patience and faith that the Murang'a Seal hierarchy has shown coach Osborne Monday is finally paying off, as the club is ranked fourth on the log with 33 points, 10 shy of Gor Mahia.
The former Harambee Stars midfielder was under pressure in November due to poor results.
He was, at some point, reportedly on his way out, but the management gave him a chance to redeem himself.
Monday went ahead to oversee an 11-match unbeaten run and currently boasts the best form in the league, having won seven of their last eight league matches.
Goodbye Okere
Tusker FC bade farewell to coach Charles Okere after a string of poor results.
Last weekend's 3-1 loss to the 2008 league winners Mathare United sealed Okere's fate.
The club is set to hire Frenchman Jullen Mette as his successor.
For a team that has always challenged for the title, Tusker’s performance has been poor this season.
They sit ninth on the log with 28 points, 15 off league leaders Gor Mahia.
End of the road for Bidco United?
Bidco United’s stay in the FKFPL is seemingly coming to an end after six years in the Kenyan top flight.
The Oilers made their top-flight bow in the 2020/21 season after securing promotion alongside Nairobi City Stars.
While they have survived the jaws of relegation previously, the Antony Akhulia-coached side are the prime candidate to face the chop, their latest woes coming from a 4-1 defeat to Kakamega Homeboyz.
Bidco are now on a 15-match winless streak, the longest in the league this season.