KCB and Kariobangi Sharks continued to shine in match week three of the 2024/25 FKF Premier League, while Ulinzi Stars secured a last-gasp draw against Shabana in a thrilling encounter. KCB lead the KPL table standings while Sofapaka, Nairobi City Stars and Ulinzi Stars still wait to hit the ground running.
Ulinzi Stars vs Shabana
Ulinzi Stars left it late to earn a 2-2 draw against Shabana in an intense FKF Premier League fixture at the Ulinzi Complex Grounds. Both teams entered the match after missing action on matchday two due to their opponents’ commitments in continental competitions. Shabana was scheduled to face Police FC, engaged with Zamalek in the CAF Confederations Cup. At the same time, Ulinzi’s match against Gor Mahia was postponed due to Kogallo’s CAF Champions League fixture against Al Ahly.
Ulinzi coach Sammy Omollo made several changes to the starting XI, bringing back Elvis Osok, Dennis Okoth, and Mark Okolla, aiming for his first win of the season after a 1-1 draw in their opening match against Bidco United. The military side struck first, with Staphod Odhiambo finding the net early in the first half. However, Shabana’s Matthew Tegisi equalized, leaving the score tied at 1-1 at halftime.
Tegisi struck again in the 65th minute, giving the Glamor Boys a 2-1 lead they hoped would hold until full-time. But in a dramatic finish, Ulinzi’s debutant Telena Ochieng assisted Peter Glen in scoring from a corner deep into stoppage time, dashing Shabana’s hopes of a win.
🚨FULL-TIME SCORE UDPATE 🚨
ULINZI STARS 2️⃣➖️2️⃣ SHABANA FC
Great fighting spirit from the boys.We share the spoils here at USCL#GBUS pic.twitter.com/NsxDX0UMvY
— Ulinzi Stars FC (@UlinziStarsFC) September 22, 2024
Okere’s Tusker Bottle Once Again
Tusker FC squandered another two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Kakamega Homeboyz. Coach Charles Okere made just one change to the lineup from their previous match against Kariobangi Sharks, with Mike Oduor replacing Lawrence Luvanda. Tusker took the lead after just 15 minutes when Shaphan Siwa capitalized on a defensive error by Homeboyz, setting up Ryan Ogam to score his second goal of the season. Ogam doubled the lead 14 minutes later, heading in a Mike Oduor cross to make it 2-0.
However, Homeboyz pulled one back just before halftime, with Hillary Otieno skipping past Charles Momanyi to reduce the deficit. In the second half, Kakamega Homeboyz mounted pressure, and Pius Wangi equalized in the 54th minute with an assist from Otieno. Despite both teams pushing for a winner, the game ended in a 2-2 stalemate.
🎖️An assist and a goal from yesterday's tie.
Hillary Otieno was the POTM against Tusker FC.💪
👏 Well in Seba #AbanaBeingo pic.twitter.com/B01AavKIwI
— Kakamega Homeboyz FC (@FcHomeboyz) September 23, 2024
In another Sunday fixture, Kariobangi Sharks cruised to a 3-0 victory over Murang’a Seal, with goals from Ally Salum, Keith Imbali, and Andreas Odhiambo.
KCB Biggest Winners
KCB FC recorded the biggest win on Saturday, defeating Posta Rangers 3-0 at Thika Stadium for their second win of the season. Francis Kahiro scored a brace, while substitute Stephen Etyang added a third in the 85th minute. New coach Patrick Odhiambo, who joined from Kakamega Homeboyz, has enjoyed a strong start, with KCB winning two and drawing one while maintaining a clean sheet.
AFC Leopards also bounced back from their round two upset, where they lost 1-0 to Posta Rangers, by defeating Bidco United 1-0 at the same grounds. Coach Tomas Trucha made several changes to the starting lineup, with Samuel Semo debuting at left back and Sydney Lokale starting on the bench. Clifton Miheso replaced Julius Masaba in the attack. Ingwe left it late, with substitutes Ronald Sichenje and Sydney Lokale combining to seal the win. Lokale netted his second goal of the season after a brilliant assist from Sichenje.
🏃The move
⚽️ The goal
🤸The celebration@betikaKe @azamtvtz #𝙊𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 #𝙄𝙉𝙂𝙒𝙀 pic.twitter.com/MShNJC9dR2
— AFC Leopards SC (@AFCLeopards) September 23, 2024
Impressive Mara Sugar
Meanwhile, Mara Sugar continued their impressive home form, securing a 1-0 win over Nairobi City Stars, thanks to a goal from Dennis Cheruyiot. Mathare United and Sofapaka played out a 1-1 draw, leaving both teams winless so far this season.
After the draw, Sofapaka coach Robert Matano urged patience as the season progresses: “This is a young team, not like Gor Mahia, Police, or what I had at Tusker. Most players lack experience in the FKF Premier League. We’re building, and the growth will be gradual, but we’ll get there. I’m not worried about the lack of wins; they will come.”
Mathare United coach John Kamau acknowledged the team’s struggles, stating, “We need to improve on ball possession. We can’t keep the ball right now, which is essential to compete. The whole team must improve, not just one department. It requires a holistic approach.”
𝙁𝙐𝙇𝙇-𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀
Maximum points collected at Home!!#MaraSugar✊ pic.twitter.com/rjaPT0Ff2I
— Mara Sugar Fc (@MaraSugarfc) September 21, 2024
Postponed FKF PL Fixtures
Reigning FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia and Mozzart Bet Cup holders Police FC were again absent from the round three schedule due to their continental commitments. Police FC faced Zamalek in the CAF Confederations Cup at Cairo International Stadium, losing 2-1 (3-1 on aggregate). Gor Mahia played Al Ahly on Saturday evening, losing 3-0 (6-0 on aggregate).
Police FC was initially set to play Talanta FC, while Gor Mahia was scheduled to face Bandari FC.
FKF PL Matchweek 3 Results
Saturday
- Posta Rangers 0-3 KCB
- Mara Sugar 1-0 Nairobi City Stars
- Mathare United 1-1 Sofapaka
- Bidco United 0-1 AFC Leopards
Sunday
- Kariobangi Sharks 3-0 Murang’a Seal
- Tusker FC 2-2 Kakamega Homeboyz
- Ulinzi Stars 2-2 Shabana FC
FKF Premier League Table
Following their comprehensive win over Posta Rangers, KCB maintained their position at the top of the table after round three with 7 points. Kariobangi Sharks are second, level on points but with an inferior goal difference, while AFC Leopards complete the top three with six points.
Sofapaka sit at the bottom with just one point, excluding Gor Mahia and Police FC, who are yet to play a single match this season. Sofapaka are among seven teams that have played but are still winless, including Shabana, Ulinzi Stars, Kakamega Homeboyz, Nairobi City Stars, Mathare United, and Bidco United