FKFPL Wrap: Gor finish first leg unbeaten, Ingwe grab rare win as Tusker humiliate KCB

The Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) resumed from the two-week holiday break with some unexpected results.

Some of the clubs that struggled from the start of the season including AFC Leopards and Tusker FC were in a class of their own this weekend as they picked crucial wins in their respective campaigns.

Meanwhile, those that began the 2023/2024 campaign strongly started to slip but leaders Gor Mahia FC continued from where they had left before the Christmas celebrations.

In addition, experienced players like Kenneth Muguna and Eric Kapaito showed that they can still be depended on by their clubs with some exceptional displays. 

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Muguna celebrated his 28th birthday in style by scoring a goal and providing a lovely assist in Police FC’s 3-0 demolition of Kakamega Homeboyz.

On the other hand, Kapaito bagged his first hat-trick of the season in Tusker’s 5-0 thrashing of KCB FC at the Police Sacco Grounds.

Here is a wrap of the action witnessed from various grounds in match week 17

Unexpected hero helps Gor Mahia edge past Posta Rangers

Kennedy ‘Vidic’ Onyango was the unexpected hero in Gor Mahia’s narrow 1-0 win over a strong Posta Rangers side in Machakos.

Onyango’s first half header was enough to help the league leaders overcome their main competitors this season and increase their chances of defending their title as they ended the first leg without defeat (W10 D7).

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K’Ogallo head coach Jonathan McKinstry described the match as the most difficult one for his side so far this season.

“It was an incredibly intense game. We have obviously played 17 games in the first leg but that was the toughest, there is no doubt about it,” he stated during the post-match interview.

“John Kamau has Posta playing some really good football and this is the type of game where we had to grind and defend really well.”

The vital win helped the multiple champion move seven points clear at the top of the FKFPL table standings ahead of an impressive Nairobi City Stars side.

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AFC Leopards pick morale boosting win against Ulinzi

The 2024 calendar would not have begun any better for AFC Leopards supporters as their beloved club astonished Ulinzi Stars at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

A first half goal from Mousa Oundo helped Ingwe pick up their third victory of the season in a match which the Tomas Trucha charges dominated from start to finish.

Clifton Miheso produced a captain’s performance while Hassan Beja was lovely to watch as he caused Ulinzi Stars’ defense countless problems. 

The rare win made Ingwe move from position 14 to 12 in the FKFPL log and minimized their chances of getting relegated this season. 

The former champions are currently five points ahead of the bottom-placed Nzoia Sugar in a league where anything can change at any time. 

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Tusker humiliate hosts KCB as Kapaito shines

Finally, Tusker FC goal poacher Eric Kapaito helped his side pick up a huge win over KCB FC in a one-sided clash played at the Police Sacco Grounds in South C.

Kapaito opened his account in the fifth minute with a powerful shot before adding the second shortly after the start of the second half. 

The 28-year-old completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute thanks to a well-taken spot kick. Tusker’s other goals were scored by Levin Joseph (35th minute) and John Njuguna (90th minute).

The five-star performance helped the Robert Matano coached side move to the fifth position in the log as the Bankers dropped from third to seventh.

Elsewhere, Shabana’s struggles continued after they lost 0-1 against Muhotoni Youth to remain rooted in the bottom three relegation places.

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FKFPL match week 17 results

Police FC 3 - 0 Kakamega Homeboyz

Nairobi City Stars 3 - 0 FC Talanta

Bandari FC 1 - 0 Nzoia Sugar

Posta Rangers 0 - 1 Gor Mahia

Shabana FC 0 - 1 Muhoroni Youth

Sofapaka FC 3 - 0 Bidco United

AFC Leopards 1 - 0 Ulinzi Stars

KCB FC 0 - 5 Tusker FC

Kariobangi Sharks 1 - 1 Murang’a Seal