Six lessons learned from FKF Premier League match week 23
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Reading Time: 5min | Tue. 03.03.26. | 22:00
Mozzart Sport was present to extensively cover all the matches, and in this article, highlights some of the six lessons learned from the match week
The FKF Premier League second leg continues to heat up with match week 23 games taking place over the weekend and spilling over to Monday, save for the clash between Nairobi United and KCB FC, which will be played on Wednesday, 4 March.
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The eight matches that took place had several talking points; from the title race to the relegation battle, drama on and off the pitch, as well as the good and the ugly.
All three of Kenya’s most supported clubs, Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards and Shabana FC were in action with Ingwe stealing the headlines with their 5-1 demolition of the Glamour Boys.
Mozzart Sport was present to extensively cover all the matches, and in this article, highlights some of the six lessons learned from the match week.
AFC Leopards pummel Shabana on set plays and transition
In what was anticipated to be a tough game with fine margins, Kenyan giants AFC Leopards tore Shabana FC apart ruthlessly and secured a 5-1 victory, thanks to their Tore Bobe's lethargy in set-piece plays and transition.
Prior to the showdown, Leopards had suffered a 1-0 midweek defeat to KCB FC, while Shabana grabbed a late 1-0 win over Mathare United.
Additionally, Ingwe have enjoyed an impressive run at Nyayo Stadium, where they have lost only once this season, while Shabana were unbeaten on the road this campaign.
Ingwe have been employing various patterns in set pieces this season, and their execution against Shabana was brilliant.
Samwel Semo’s opener, as well as the fourth goal by Kayci Odhiambo, are patterns that have been synonymous with Leopards this season, and their execution caught Shabana’s defense flat footed.
The 1998 league champions were also lethal on transition and counterattacks, where Ronald Sichenje and James Kinyanjui looked to exploit the spaces left in the Shabana lackline when their full-backs, Lawrence Kibet and James Mazembe, overlapped as was the case in Tyson and Samuel Ssenyonjo’s goals.
Ghanaian flair powering Gor Mahia's title charge
When things got tough, and Mathare United looked set to cause turbulence to Gor Mahia’s momentum, Ghanaian flair came to the rescue of K’Ogalo.
The 21-time record league champions secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Slum Boys courtesy of goals from Ghanaian duo Ebenezer Assifuah and Enock Morrison.
John Kamau's charges had frustrated K’Ogalo to a goalless draw in the first half, forcing Ghanaian head coach Charles Akonnor to introduce Assifuah at halftime for his compatriot Ebenezer Adukwaw.
Assifuah fired some spark to Gor’s attack and brilliantly unleashed a thunderous strike that broke the deadlock in the 68th minute.
Watch all the goals as Gor Mahia move 9 points clear at the top, at least until AFC Leopards face Shabana tomorrow
— Mozzart Sport Kenya (@MozzartSportKe) February 28, 2026
A dramatic 2-1 win over Mathare United at Nyayo Stadium.
Are K’Ogalo already pulling away? pic.twitter.com/fZc5FP0TBP
However, the match seemed to be headed for a draw when Dennis Okoth equalised for Mathare in the 82nd minute, but Assifuah was there again, this time winning a penalty that was converted by Morrison in the 88th minute to grant Gor maximum points.
New look Tusker under Julien Mette
Tusker FC have adopted a new style of play, different from their usual direct attacks through long balls, courtesy of the newly appointed French tactician Julien Mette.
Under coach Robert Matano and his successor Charles Okere, the Brewers had mastered the art of direct attacking football with minimal passess which sometimes yielded results for them but also brought with it criticism as fans demanded ‘beautiful football’.
Well, Tusker are finally playing 'sexy football' in the words of Ruud Gullit, thanks to Mette. Against Kariobangi Sharks, known for their short and quick passing football, otherwise known as Tiki Taka, the Brewers were equally striving to do the same with Mette insisting on passing and visibly frustrated when his team opted for long balls.
Resilient Anthony Akhulia ends Bidco’s four-month winless streak
Bidco United head coach Anthony Akhulia has to be one of the most resilient coaches in the league.
Akhulia had always remained hopeful and confident of Bidco’s resurgence, even when it seemed unattainable.
The Oilers were on a 17-match winless streak, a whole leg of the league, but throughout the process, the Kenya U20 tactician insisted that they have what it takes preserve their league status.
Bidco managed to end their winless streak courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Ulinzi Stars, a win that also saw them keep a clean sheet for the first time in 10 matches as well as move to 15th on the log and out of the relegation zone.
Big task ahead for Pamzo - Kenyan Sam Allardyce
Former Gor Mahia head coach Sammy 'Pamzo' Omollo has earned the reputation of being a specialist in helping clubs survive relegation, with fans likening him to English tactician Sam Allardyce, who is equally known for the same.
Pamzo has one of the most difficult tasks on that front if APS Bomet’s performances are anything to go by.
The club lost further ground in their survival quest when they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Kakamega Homeboyz in the Mozzart Bet derby to make it three losses in as many matches.
APS are now 17th on the log with 19 points and are prime candidates for relegation.
Not even experience can rescue Sofapaka
The 2009 league champions are slowly engineering their return to the National Super League (NSL), 17 years after their promotion to the top tier.
Batoto ba Mungu suffered a 3-1 defeat to Mara Sugar FC to remain bottom of the log with 14 points, and seemingly, not even the experienced mid-season signings of Clifton Miheso and Duncan Otieno, as well as coach Juma Abdalla, can save them from the chop.