Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League champions Gor Mahia will kick off their quest to win a third straight Premier League title with a fixture against FC Talanta at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Sunday, August 25.
According to the fixtures for the 2024/25 season released by FKF, the new season will kick off on August 24, Saturday, with fives matches set to be played across the country. The first match of the season will see KCB, who reached the final of the domestic Mozzart Bet Cup but lost 8-7 on penalties against Kenya Police, take on Kariobangi Sharks at Police Sacco Stadium.
Other matches on the opening day will see Tusker, who finished second behind Gor Mahia last season, start their campaign against Sofapaka, who needed playoffs to survive relegation. Batoto ba Mungu were on the edge of surrendering their 15-year status in the top-flight after a poor start to the 2023/24 season saw them fight relegation from the opening week until the last day.
They finished the Premier League season in position 16 of the 18-team table and had to play National Super League (NSL) side Naivas FC in a two-legged promotion playoff to determine their fate. Sofapaka, who won the Kenyan league title in the debut season in 2009, managed to secure their status after beating Naivas 2-0 on aggregate. They won the first leg 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Jacob Ochieng, before winning the return leg 1-0 via an Andre Lalama strike.
The fixture will see the Brewers come face to face with their former coach Robert Matano. The 60-year-old Matano left Tusker after six years of work, which saw him win two Premier League titles, to join Batoto ba Mungu.
Posta Rangers, who finished ninth last season, will face Bandari FC, who came fourth, promoted side Mathare United will start life in the top-flight with a home fixture against AFC Leopards, while Kenya Police will face Nairobi City Stars.
However, top action will be on August 25, Sunday, when K’Ogalo will launch their quest to win a third successive title. Gor Mahia have won the title twice, and last season they achieved a record 21st league title in the history of the Kenyan league.
Gor Mahia will be under new Brazilian coach Leonardo Martins Neiva, who took up the role after replacing Johnathan McKinstry and will be assisted by former Harambee Stars coach Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno and Michael Nam.
Ulinzi Stars under new coach Dunstun Nyaudo will face Murang’a Seal, while Shabana FC, who last season survived relegation by a whisker, will face Bidco United. Tore Bobe, have also shown their intentions to stay in the league after going for top signings in the on-going transfer window.
They have so far roped in James Mazembe from KCB, winger Cliff Nyakeya from AFC Leopards, Meja Atariza from Bandari, and goalkeeper Felix Mulili from AFC Leopards. Another promoted side Mara Sugar will face Kakamega Homeboyz in their season opener at Awendo Green Stadium.