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How Gor Mahia got the last laugh in thrilling FKF PL title race vs AFC Leopards
24th May, 2026 09:38 PM
Gor Mahia could hardly have dreamt of winning the 2025/26 Football Kenya Premier League title without kicking a ball and with two games to spare.
Not in their wildest dreams was such an occurrence deemed possible, especially as the club remained locked in a tight, two-horse race heading into the final five rounds of fixtures.
AFC Leopards had not only proved to be worthy challengers but were also resolute in their determination to push the league leaders to the wire in a fierce title contest. However, thanks to the scheduling uncertainty surrounding the Mara Sugar vs. Gor Mahia clash, the title race was thrown into unforeseen drama, leading to an end that was far from what the players and fans had envisaged.
Venue confusion
In a twist that will likely enter FKF Premier League folklore, an unforeseen confusion birthed frantic back-and-forth over the venue for Gor’s away match.
This prompted the Sports Disputes Tribunal to cancel the fixture barely a couple of days before the Sunday 3:00 PM kick-off.
The ruling came after Gor had already packed up and hit the road to Homa Bay, the proposed venue for the clash. While K’Ogalo lodged in Homa Bay awaiting a verdict on the match’s eventual location, Ingwe was forced to honour a fixture of their own miles away in Kericho.
Leopards stumble
The task ahead for Gor remained daunting. The tense title race seemed poised to stretch to the final day of the season if Fred Ambani’s side maintained their winning momentum against APS Bomet.
However, events took a dramatic turn against the Bomet side, who are coached by former Gor Mahia tactician Sammy Pamzo Omollo.
As is typical for high-stakes final-stretch matches, the Ingwe faithful turned out in large numbers in Kericho to drum up support for the visiting team. The occasion, however, turned sour in the second half when Phillip Wasai scored a quick double, pushing Ingwe to the brink of a costly defeat.
Following Leopards game
Far away in Homa Bay, the Gor Mahia squad remained glued to the match updates.
When the second goal went in, the Green Army players went berserk.
The celebrations became official at the final whistle, as the 2-1 scoreline completely ended AFC Leopards’ mathematical chances of catching the league leaders. The outcome marked a historic and memorable achievement for Charles Akonnor’s charges.
Despite travelling to the lakeside county on Friday, May 22, 2026, only to learn of their own match postponement, the club still came out on top with a double-pronged win.
During their stay in Homa Bay, the squad benefited from a lucrative gesture from local and national leadership, led by Governor Gladys Wanga and President William Ruto.
Financial reward
“Governor Gladys Wanga hosted the team for dinner at her home in Homa Bay, where the boys were gifted Ksh2 million, including Ksh1 million from President William Ruto,” Gor Mahia posted later that evening.
Focus now shifts to when their rescheduled match against Mara Sugar will be played before the real party awaits the team on the final day of the season.
According to a previous update by the club, the grand finale is scheduled to take place at the Nyayo National Stadium on May 31, 2026, when they host Nairobi United.
