What we learnt from round one of 2023/2024 FKFPL season

The much-awaited Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) 2023-2024 season kicked off in earnest over the weekend with teams showing grit.

Of the nine fixtures, spread over two days, only three teams; Tusker, Nzoia Sugar and new league entrants Murang'a Seal, recorded wins.

A whopping four matches produced barren draws, with only one yielding goals.

Defending champions Gor Mahia rallied from a goal down to pick a 1-1 draw against Sofapaka, while their nemesis AFC Leopards could not break a resolute FC Talanta who held them to a barren draw.

Last season's runners up Tusker went to Mombasa and managed to return with all the points after edging out Bandari FC 1-0.

Shabana fans traveled in droves to Raila Odinga Homabay County Stadium for their opener against fellow newbies Murang'a Seal - lighting up the Lakeside Town.

It was a sight to behold and a good example of why the game should be spread across the country.

Still no broadcaster

Against all expectations, the league commenced without a title or broadcast sponsor.

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Rumors were rife that a Tanzania pay television channel would take the broadcast rights and beam the matches live, but still nothing has materialized.

A deal with a betting firm is also believed to be in the pipeline for title sponsorship.

Unlike last season when the league winners walked home with only a trophy, it is everyone's hope that things will be better this time.

Sports tourism

The game between Shabana and Murang'a Seal showed the potential that lies in local sports tourism.

Before, only Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards were known to have traveling fans, but with Shabana back in the top flight, the number of fans on the road is set to swell.

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Thousands of traveling Shabana fans invaded Homabay Town in their numbers, undoubtedly boosting the economy of Lakeside Town.

That Murang'a Seal traveled thousands of kilometers to honor the game was also a big plus and added to the economy of Homabay.

Ban on recording of games irks Gor Mahia boss

Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry came out guns blazing - denouncing a directive of the FKF banning clubs from recording their own games for the purposes of analysis.

"I have never known or been involved in a competition where such a decision has been taken," he tweeted.

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Even though FKF is yet to publicly respond to McKinstry, the move was interpreted to mean that the league could soon be having a television broadcaster.

There were also highlights of some of the weekend games including the one involving Gor Mahia and Sofapaka, meaning FKF might have backed down on the move.