Six lessons learned from FKF Premier League match week 27

The 2025/26 FKF Premier League season is on its homestretch with match week 27 going down during the long Easter weekend, with all teams in action and with plenty of lessons to unpack.

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The biggest winners of the weekend were Kenyan giants AFC Leopards, who took full advantage of Gor Mahia dropping points to narrow the gap at the top to two points and add cream to the title race cake.

There was also significant action in the fight against relegation that continues to tighten with no team ready to face the chop.

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Match week 27 also saw brilliant performances from individual players, notably the goal by Nairobi United defender Mustapga Kizza.

Mozzart Sport was once again present and comprehensively covered all nine matches, thereby picking lessons that have since been summarised to six.

Gor Mahia's dysfunctional wing play

The significance of wingers and wing play in the current Gor Mahia set-up was once again visible in their 0-0 draw to Kariobangi Sharks.

While its value has always been revealed through how K’Ogalo have won matches from wing play, Saturday's action demonstrated just how the team looks like a shell of itself when the flanks are dysfunctional.

Coach Charles Akonnor started with Musa Shariff and Samuel Kapen on the flanks. However, Kapen had an off day from the beginning.

The former Nairobi City Stars man misplaced passes, failed to control the ball in key attacking areas and most significantly squandered a glorious opportunity to score with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Musa, on the other hand, missed open chances before being silenced by the Sharks defense. Gor tried to use the midfield as well as go direct, but neither could yield results, proving just how important wing play is to the team.

Ssetuba resurgence key to AFC Leopards title push

James Ssetuba has slowly but surely regained his form and confidence at the right time for AFC Leopards.

Signed last season after his heroics at Kakamega Homeboyz, Ssetuba has had a challenging spell at Ingwe, and despite being the starter at the beginning of the season, a series of blunders left the bench and blue army with no choice but to drop him.

However, an injury to Humphrey Katasi forced Ingwe to turn to the Ugandan shot stopper, who has been impressive so far.

Ssetuba initiated the attack that led to Tyson Otieno’s winner against Kariobangi Sharks while he saved Joe Waithira’s penalty with Leopards leading 1-0, a key moment that helped them secure a 2-0 victory.

Management to blame for Shabana’s woes

Shabana FC were enjoying an impressive season until the management decided to make one decisive move.

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The sacking of head coach Peter Okidi is seemingly taking a toll on Shabana. Okidi had led the team to third place before being sent packing due to back-to-back losses against Sharks and AFC Leopards, much to the surprise of many.

Ironically, he was named the February Coach of the Month a week after his sacking for his impressive outing with the Glamour Boys.

Shabana looked like a shell of themselves and a disjointed unit in their 3-0 loss to Nairobi United, and have since dropped to fifth on the log.

Mustapha Kizza makes an early Puskas statement

Nairobi United defender Mustapha Kizza scored one of the most spectacular goals fans will ever see in the FKF Premier League.

On a quick transition, the Ugandan received a long throw from Bernard Jairo in his own half, spotted goalkeeper Stephen Ochieng off his line and took an audacious shot at goal that ended in the back of the net despite Ochieng having a touch.

The goal is now a contender for the prestigious FIFA Puskas award, given to the best goal of the year.

Relegation battle continues to tighten

The battle against relegation has become even tighter after match week 27. APS Bomet managed a 1-0 victory over Ulinzi Stars in a relegation six-pointer to reach the 25-point mark.

Sharks, on the other hand, forced a draw against Gor Mahia while Bidco United suffered defeat to KCB FC.

As it stands, Sofapaka are at the bottom with 17 points and joined in the relegation zone by Bidco and APS Bomet with 22 and 25 points respectively.

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Ulinzi, on 25 points, are just above the relegation zone on goal difference, while Sharks are a point above APS.

Tight Defense saves Police FC's blushes

Were it not for an air-tight defense, defending champions Police FC could be enduring a more horrendous season.

The Law Enforcers have been a pale shadow of themselves and are currently fourth on the log with 43 points, 14 shy of Gor Mahia.

However, they have the best defense in the league, having conceded just 17 goals so far, and once again kept a clean sheet against Tusker FC in their last match.

Police have now won four of their last six games, conceding just one goal in the process and keeping five clean sheets.