Gor Mahia recovered from their poor start in the SportPesa League as Tusker, and newcomers APS Bomet faltered again, piling early pressure on their coaches.
The record 21-time league champions started their campaign with a surprise 1-0 loss to Bidco United but bounced back on Saturday with a 2-0 win over 2009 champions Sofapaka at Dandora Stadium.
New Gor signing Ghanaian Ebenezer Adukwaw continued with his impressive form as he scored a brace, his second a stunning strike from distance.
Upon noticing Sofapaka goalkeeper Victor Kamungo off his line, Adukwaw unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from midfield that sailed true to ripple the net. Many fans have tipped the strike as a strong contender for goal-of-the-season.
“I got a wonderful goal. I am very happy,” remarked Adukwaw, adding that every match is “very tough.”
“I think it is always important to respond well and the players have done exactly that. Winning today’s game is a sign we are a good team,” he said.
For 13-time champions Tusker, they were not as lucky in their bid for redemption as they went down 2-1 to Posta Rangers earlier at the same venue.
The brewers had lost 2-0 to KCB in the season’s opening match on September 19 – a result that saw a section of the club’s supporters call for the firing of coach Charles Okere.
Josphat Andafu (left) of KCB in an aerial duel with Mathare United's Paul Kinyanjui during a SportPesa League match at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Annexe ground on September 26, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Speculation was rife that Okere would be shown the door at the end of last season after he guided Tusker to a fourth place finish. However, the club chose to stick with him for another season.
“We have now lost two consecutive matches and it doesn’t look good. We need to put in more work,” said Okere.
Perhaps the only positive news for Tusker after the second round of matches is that their marquee signing this season striker Erick Kapaito opened his accounts.
The 2018, and 2021 league Golden Boot winner is among the players the brewers are banking on in their quest to reclaim the title they last won in 2022.
Bomet are the only other team to have lost both their opening matches. The ambitious South Rift region side, who have declared they are at this level to compete, had a rude welcome to the league when they were hammered 4-2 by hosts Shabana two weekends back.
On Sunday, they went down 2-0 to visiting Murang’a Seal, a result that has piled more pressure on their coach Michael Nam. Nam replaced Evans Mafuta, the coach who guided Bomet to promotion to the SportPesa League.
Mafuta does not have the CAF “A’ License required to coach in the top-flight league. He has been retained in the team’s technical bench.
Shabana and Rangers are perfect on six points from two matches. Shabana defeated host Bandari 1-0 on Sunday to go top of the standings. Shabana’s faithful midfielder Brain Michira scored Shabana’s winning goal to extend his tally to three thus far.
Rangers are placed second with six points after their 2-1 identical wins over Tusker and Mathare. After falling 2-1 to Rangers in their opener, Mathare, who lifted the title in 2008, redeemed themselves with an upset 1-0 win over KCB on Friday.
KCB beat fancied Tusker in their league opener only to lose to Mathare on Friday. This result did no amuse the bankers’ coach Robert Matano, a proven league winner, who issued a bold declaration.
“I think this might be our last loss. We cannot afford to lose again in that manner. We have lost but in a bad way,” said an angry Matano as he placed blame on goalkeeper Bonphas Munyasa.
