Relegation fights, Golden Boot race in FKF Premier League season finale
Ally Salum Omar of Kariobangi Sharks celebrates his goal against Posta Rangers during an FKF Premier League match at Dandora Stadium on February 14, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Gor Mahia, Kakamega Homeboyz and Tusker will be battling for the consolation runners up position.
- But more significant will be the battle to avoid the big drop with no less than eight teams involved.
The fight to stay in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League and race for the Golden Boot will be the top focus on the final day of the 2024/25 season on Sunday.
Last Sunday, Kenya Police clinched the league title with a match to spare following their 1-0 win over Shabana.
The law enforcers, on 64 points, will be handed the trophy on Sunday at Ulinzi Sports Complex after their match with outgoing champions Gor Mahia who have won the league a record 21 times.
With the title race settled, Gor Mahia (58 points), Kakamega Homeboyz (57), and Tusker (56 points) will be left to battle for the consolation runners up position.
More significant will be the battle to avoid the big drop with no less than eight teams involved.
Bottom-placed Bidco United (32 points), Murang’a Seal, Nairobi City Stars, Posta Rangers (all 34 points) and FC Talanta (35 points) are all involved in a fight for the lives, literally. So too are Mara Sugar (36) who could go down with a loss on Sunday.
Kariobangi Sharks and Ulinzi Stars (both on 37 points) are also not mathematically safe but you feel their superior goal differences will be enough to keep them in topflight.
Kakamega Homeboyz striker Moses Shumah, with 17 goals to his name, Emmanuel Osoro of FC Talanta (16 goals) and Ryan Ogam (15 goals) will all be eyeing the league’s top scorer’s gong.
Shumah seems the sure bet for the golden Boot award, but this is football and anything can happen. Neither Shumah, Osoro nor Ogam scored last weekend and they certainly be hungry to shake the net.
Back the relegation battle. Murang’a Seal host FC Talanta at SportPesa Arena with both teams knowing a loss will condemn either team to the second tier National Super League.
Muranga, who were promoted two years ago, are in the more precarious position as a win would not guarantee them survival as other results have to go their way. Talanta have beaten Muranga twice and lost once in their three meeting at this level.
Basement side Bidco United earned promotion to FKF-PL in 2019 season and face their greatest worry of relegation to date. The Anthony Akhulia-coached Bidco must beat Sofapaka at Ruaraka ground and pray other results go their way.
Bidco have not beaten “Batoto ba Mungu” in their last three meetings. In fact, their last victory, a 3-0 romp, against the 2009 league champions came on April 22, 2023.
Kenyan Premier League Fixtures
Sunday (All matches kick off at 3pm):
Shabana vs Ulinzi Stars - (Gusii Stadium)
Kariobangi Sharks vs Mara Sugar - (Utalii Grounds)
Murang’a Seal vs FC Talanta - (SportPesa Arena, Murang’a)
Gor Mahia vs Kenya Police - (Ulinzi Sports Complex)
Bandari vs Posta Rangers - (Mbaraki)
Sofapaka vs Bidco United - (Ruaraka Grounds)
Kakamega Homeboyz vs Tusker - (Mumias Sports Complex)
Nairobi City Stars vs Mathare United - (Thika Stadium)
AFC Leopards vs KCB - (Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos)