Gor Mahia’s coach, Charles Akonnor, insists there is no reason why the club should fail to clinch the Football Kenya Federation Premier League title with a match to go when they face Mara Sugar at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay on Sunday.
A win will see K’Ogalo seal a record-extending 22nd league crown that will reconfirm their preeminent status as Kenyan football kings.
“All indicators point to us winning the league this weekend. We don’t want to head into the last match still fighting for the title. We want to do it like Arsenal and win the league with a game to the end of the season,” Akonnor told Nation Sport.
Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor follows proceedings during the FKF Premier League match against Kariobangi Sharks at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on January 6, 2026.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
However, the high-stakes encounter has been thrown into doubt after the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) issued an injunction against the match.
The fixture venue has been the subject of dispute, with FKF rejecting Mara’s request to move the match from Awendo Green Stadium to Kirinyaga’s Wang’uru Stadium and directing that it be played in Homa Bay.
FKF said Awendo cannot host the high-stakes match. Aggrieved by the federation’s decision to decline their request to host the match in Wang’uru, Mara Sugar moved to the tribunal and secured an order stopping the match. The case will be mentioned on Tuesday.
FKF Acting General Secretary/CEO Dennis Gicheru confirmed they had received orders from SDT stopping the match. Gor have amassed 68 points, and victory against Mara would take their tally to an unassailable 71 points.
Second-placed AFC Leopards, who play APS Bomet in Kericho on Sunday, have 64 points, and the maximum points they can attain this season are 70.
Gor could very well be declared champions on Sunday without kicking a ball if Leopards lose to Bomet.
K'Ogalo could still draw their two matches and win the league on better goal difference, should both teams end with 70 points apiece.
Gor Mahia have a goal difference of plus 29, while Ingwe's is plus 18.
Gor Mahia fans cheer their team during their Football Kenya Federation Premier League match against Murang'a Seal on May 17, 2026 at Nyayo National Stadium.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
The match venue holds significant historical importance for Gor Mahia. The club traces its origins to Kanyamwa in Ndhiwa Constituency, Homa Bay County.
Winning the league at Raila Odinga Stadium, a facility named after the late ODM leader and club’s patron, would also evoke memories of the good times and philanthropy he showed to the club.
“We have no reason not to win on Sunday because this is a game we have prepared well for. We shall give it our all. The squad is complete with no injuries,” added Akonnor, a well-travelled and experienced coach and former Ghana international.
The tactician also issued a rallying call to the club’s fans to fill the 12,000-capacity stadium and cheer them to victory.
To motivate the player, club chairman Ambrose Rachier has promised a cash reward of Sh5 million if they win the league. In addition, players’ winning allowances will be doubled to Sh10,000 if they secure their 22nd crown.
Since Mara Sugar were promoted to the top flight league last season. They have lost all three matches they have played against Gor Mahia. Gor have scored nine goals in those encounters, while Mara Sugar are yet to find the back of the net.
The last time K’Ogalo dropped all three points in the league was in their controversial 1-0 loss to Tusker at Wang’uru Stadium on April 14.
AFC Leopards last won the league in 1998 and will find little consolation in a second-place finish. Leopards beat APS Bomet 2-1 in the first leg on January 17.
AFC Leopards fans queue at the security checkpoint outside Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday, May 26, 2026, awaiting clearance ahead of the highly anticipated Mashemeji Derby clash against Gor Mahia FC.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation
At the lower end of the league table, uncertainty over whether the team finishing 16th will enter a play-off or face automatic relegation has intensified the fight to secure guaranteed safety.
APS Bomet on 40 points, Mathare United (38), and Posta Rangers (37) are all battling to finish above position 16. Bomet are placed 12th, Mathare 13th and Rangers 14th.
Kariobangi Sharks and Ulinzi Stars, who sit 15th and 16th with 33 points and 32 points respectively, are also in the fight to avoid the big drop, although both teams have a game in hand.
A case at the Sports Dispute Tribunal on whether a team that finishes 16th should be automatically relegated or should engage in a play-off against a team from the National Super League is yet to be decided.
Muranga Seal will face Bidco United at SportPesa Arena in Murang’a tomorrow. League top scorer Joe Waithira of Muranga will look to add to his 17 strikes.
