The 2025/26 SportPesa League kicked off over the weekend with all the good, the bad and the ugly of Kenyan football captured in the opening skirmishes.
First the ugly. The 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) has left a legacy of CAF-compliant facilities. One of them, Moi International Sports Centre, was turned into a battlefield before the much anticipated match between Gor Mahia and Bidco United was held on Sunday.
Police were forced to lob teargas, and fire warning shots in the air to scare away a section of unruly Gor fans, who attempted to force their way into the stadium by climbing the inner fence.
Gor Mahia fans assemble next the Kenya National Archives in Nairobi on September 21, 2025 ahead of their league match against Bidco United.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
It was easy to see everything that went wrong, raising questions on whether Kenya had picked any lessons on safely securing venues during big matches from Chan.
With the kick-off fast approaching, and just a few stewards checking the tickets at the entry points, the fans took matters into their own hands and attempted to gain entry illegally. The response from the law enforcers only made the situation worse.
In addition to lobbing tear gas at the fans, and firing in the air, police with batons also chased fans, showing little concern for the risk of causing a stampede.
It remains to be seen what measures Gor, and FKF will put in place to avoid a repeat of the ugly incidents seen on Sunday.
Fan turnout, however, was not impressive in the opening round with even the clash between Gor and Bidco played before many empty seats.
Only Shabana recorded a full house at their fortress, Gusii Stadium. The glamour side welcomed newcomers APs Bomet with a 4-2 drubbing with a brace from Brian Muchira.
In a remarkable show of accountability, the club promptly stated they had made Sh1.5 million in gate collections.
Now the bad. The season opener between 13-time champions Tusker and KCB at MISC was marred by controversy after the bankers’ defender Nashon Wekesa played the entire game despite receiving a second booking in the early stages of the second half.
One of the match officials later attributed the incident to miscommunication. Interestingly, both benches did not realise that the player ought to have been send off.
KCB players celebrates their win against Tusker in the opening fixture of the 2025/2026 Sportpesa League season at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on September 19, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Now the good. Football is a beautiful game, and going by the opening weekend’s results many teams will be hopeful of challenging for the league title.
Ghanaian Charles Akonnor began his tenure at Gor Mahia on a disappointing note after unfancied Bidco stunned the 21-time record champions 1-0.
Seeking an immediate response when they visit Sofapaka this weekend, Akonnor said they must improve on their finishing.
“What we need to work on is how to create chances and score because we played very well,” said Akonnor.
Gor Mahia coach Charles Akonnor gestures from the touchline during a SportPesa League match against Bidco United played at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on September 21, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“They (Bidco) made it difficult for us but the chances created, we needed to score. We need to have that composure in the final third to be able to score,” he said.
“This is good, it will show how prepared we are because we did an overhaul of the team. We sent away like 15 players. Because this is a new team, it is really encouraging the way they have played,” said Akhulia.
The much vaunted AFC Leopards challenge for the title started with a whimper as they were held to a 1-1 draw by completely new-look Sofapaka.
