Six lessons learned from FKF Premier League matchweek 25

The FKF Premier League match week 25 lived up to its billing with sumptuous matches that continue to shape both the title race and the fight for survival even as the league enters its homestretch.

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Kenya's most supported clubs, Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards and Shabana FC were all in action with K’Ogalo hosting The Glamour Boys in the week’s pick of the bunch encounter.

Defending champions Kenya Police FC, who have been off colour this season, were also in action and grabbed a win, even as little movement was experienced in the battle against relegation.

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Mozzart Sport was present to cover all nine matches and, after a comprehensive analysis, here are some of the six key lessons in this weekly piece.

Gor Mahia showcase true mark of a champion

Match week 25 presented a potential banana skin for Gor Mahia in the form of Shabana FC, who were also in the title matrix.

However, Gor Mahia showed great quality, resilience and class, akin to champions, to secure a 2-1 victory with a late goal.

K’Ogalo took the lead in the 22nd minute through Jackson Dwang', but a miscommunication at the back between goalkeeper Gad Mathews and Bryton Onyona allowed Wycliffe Omondi to equalise for Shabana two minutes later.

With the second half proving to be a tight and balanced affair, Gor Mahia persisted in their search for a winner and, despite not being in their usual best, managed to get a goal in the 80th minute through captain Alpha Onyango from a Dwang' corner.

As the title race intensifies, Gor showed the true mark of champions: winning even when not playing at their best.

With the 21-time league champions enjoying a seven-point gap at the top with nine matches to play, the 2025/26 title is theirs to lose.

AFC Leopards’ hopes lie in on-form Tyson Otieno

AFC Leopards midfielder Tyson Otieno is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding players this season.

The former Kariobangi Sharks man has been in great form for AFC Leopards since his inclusion in the starting 11 in early December 2025 and has established himself as the team’s main source of creativity in attack.

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His calmness with the ball, quick feet on the dribble and ability to string decisive passes have been an asset for Leopards as was the case in their 1-0 victory over Tusker FC.

Otieno was not only involved in the goal but also in the majority of major attacks by Ingwe, drawing tackles from Tusker players who were evidently targeting him.

Should Leopards manage to end their 28-year wait for the league title, Otieno will be a key factor of success.

Inexperience condemns Shabana to third consecutive loss

Shabana largely matched Gor Mahia in a majority of aspects and probably deserved to leave with a point, but inexperience cost them.

The Glamour Boys played in a compact formation, reducing the spaces in between their defense lines, opting to hit Gor Mahia on the counter and on transitions.

While the game plan looked perfect for the match, their execution and discipline were often lacking as they squandered promising moves with misplaced passes as well as losing concentration in the dying minutes of the match under intense pressure from Gor Mahia, which eventually led to Alpha Onyango’s winner from an 80th-minute corner.

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Paul Okoth regains form in time to save Ulinzi

The 2010 league champions secured their first win of the year courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Nairobi United, with the military men finding the back of the net through Boniface Muchiri and Paul Okoth.

The win also coincided with Okoth ending a league goal drought that had seen his team drop to the relegation zone, which in turn cost coach Stephen Ochola his job.

With the battle against the drop intensifying, Ulinzi, who are 15th on the log with 22 points, the same as Bidco United in the relegation zone, will be banking on Okoth’s scoring prowess to retain their league status.

Over a decade later, Jackson Macharia still roars

Jackson Macharia is one of the longest-serving players in the FKF Premier League, having played in the league for over a decade, first turning out for Thika United before crossing over to Tusker in 2016.

Despite being unattached in the first half of the season, Macharia joined Posta Rangers in the mid-season transfer window and has been a revelation for the club, scoring important goals against Gor Mahia as well as his former club, Police FC.

The dreadlocked-midfielder was once again the hero for Posta, scoring a brace that led The Mailmen to a 2-1 win over Kariobangi Sharks.

Relegation battle continues to get murky

The fight against relegation continues to get tough for teams at the bottom, who are all struggling to retain their league status.

As it stands, Sofapaka, APS Bomet and Bidco United are in the red zone, but Ulinzi Stars and Sharks are also deep in the relegation matrix.

Match week 25 saw only Ulinzi secure a win among the bottom five to move out of the relegation zone, but still tied on 22 points with Bidco.

With nine games to play, each of the five teams will be employing all sporting parameters to avoid the chop.