Kenya’s all-time champions delivered a brilliant performance against Ulinzi Stars, winning 3-2 at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi this evening.
However, the reigning 2023/2024 FKF Premier League Champions fell short of the chance to retain their title, as their closest title contender, Kenya Police, secured the championship by beating Shabana 1-0 at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
A victory for Gor Mahia was crucial, but the outcome in Machakos ultimately determined the title race. If Shabana had won, the title decider would have gone to the final game of the season, where Gor Mahia would have faced Kenya Police again.
At Ulinzi Complex, Samuel Kapen opened the scoring in the 10th minute, but Ulinzi Stars equalized just 12 minutes later. The first half ended 1-1.
In the second half, midfield maestro Austin Odhiambo put K’Ogalo ahead in the 55th minute, and Benson Omalla extended the lead to 3-1 in the 64th minute. Ulinzi Stars managed to pull back a second goal in the 74th minute, making it 3-2.
K’Ogalo was hopeful that Shabana would win against Kenya Police, which would have pushed the title battle to the last match. However, Brian Okoth silenced those hopes by scoring a crucial goal for Kenya Police 15 minutes from time, securing all three points for the law enforcers when just one would have been sufficient to clinch the title.
The Karao boys celebrated their first-ever FKF Premier League title and will represent the country in the prestigious continental tournament, the CAF Champions League, next season.
Meanwhile, Gor Mahia is preparing for the FKF Cup finals against Nairobi United, which offers a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup.