Champions Gor To Begin Title Defence At Bandari

15th October 2018

A repeat of the 2018 SportPesa Shield semi-final will also highlight the opening weekend of the 2018/19 SportPesa Premier League when AFC Leopards SC host Kariobangi Sharks FC

Gor Mahia FC striker Ephrem Guikan in action against Tusker FC in the 2018 SportPesa Premier League campaign. PHOTO/SPN
Gor Mahia FC striker Ephrem Guikan in action against Tusker FC in the 2018 SportPesa Premier League campaign. PHOTO/SPN
SUMMARY
  • The 2018 SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions Gor Mahia FC, will launch their title defense against the just concluded season’s surprise performers Bandari FC on December 8
  • Robert Matano’s Tusker FC battled to a third place finish in the recently concluded SPL season and will kick-off the 2018/19 campaign away to Sony Sugar FC on December 9
  • NSL winners Western Stima FC will begin their campaign with a match against Posta Rangers FC at Camp Toyoyo 

NAIROBI, Kenya- SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions Gor Mahia FC will launch their title defense against the just concluded season’s surprise performers Bandari FC when the new season kicks-off on Saturday, December 8 according to the official fixture list released on Monday.

Bandari, who finished runners-up to the 17-time record league winners will be looking to get a second consecutive SPL win against Gor when the two teams lock horns at the Mbaraki Sports Club.

The dockers were one of the other four teams that managed to defeat Dylan Kerr’s charges throughout the campaign as they battled to a 2-1 win on August 7 in what was a stunning first defeat of the titleholders before their late season implosion.

The second-place finish was the best that the coast-based side has ever achieved in the top flight, and all their standout performers were gifted with an all-expenses paid trip to Zanzibar.

Robert Matano’s Tusker FC battled to a third place finish and will kick-off the new campaign away to Sony Sugar FC on December 9.

The other teams who rounded off the top five, Ulinzi Stars FC will be away to Vihiga United FC on the opening day whereas Sofapaka FC will have to await the SPL/National Super League (NSL) play-off result to determine who their first opponents will be.

Nakumatt FC, who finished the just-concluded season in 16th and Ushuru FC, who were third in the second-tier NSL are involved in a two-legged play-off next week to determine who will complete the 2019 SPL roster.

A repeat of the 2018 SportPesa Shield semi-final will also highlight the opening weekend as AFC Leopards SC host Kariobangi Sharks FC.

Newcomers KCB FC, who finished second in the NSL, will begin their long-awaited return to the SPL with a fixture at the Bukhungu Stadium against Kakamega Homeboyz FC.

NSL winners, Western Stima FC begin their campaign with a match against Posta Rangers FC at Camp Toyoyo on Sunday (December 9).

Football Kenya Federation ordered the 2019 season to start in December as it works to align domestic football to the international FIFA calendar by mid next year in line with requirements of continental body, CAF.

The changes will also see the SPL transfer windows shifted from December/June to January/August making it easier for Kenyan players to secure moves abroad.

Subsequent SPL seasons will run from August to May with CAF moving its biannual Africa Cup of Nations showpiece to summer after the 2019 edition that will end on March 26 next year.

2018/19 SPL OPENING WEEKEND FIXTURES (All games kick off at 3PM unless stated)

Saturday, December 8

Playoff winner vs Sofapaka FC- 2PM

Mathare United FC vs Chemelil Sugar FC

Bandari FC vs Gor Mahia FC

AFC Leopards SC vs Kariobangi Sharks FC

Kakamega Homeboyz FC vs KCB

Posta Rangers FC vs Western Stima FC- 4:15PM

Sunday, December 9

Zoo FC vs Nzoia Sugar FC

Sony Sugar FC vs Tusker FC

Vihiga United FC vs Ulinzi Stars FC