Gor Mahia Crowned Champions After AFC Leopards Slip in Kericho

By Francis Onyach - Reporter

Kenya, May 24, 2026 - Kenyan football giants Gor Mahia have officially been crowned 2025/26 FKF Premier League champions after rivals AFC Leopards suffered a decisive 2-1 defeat away to APS Bomet on Sunday.

The result handed Gor Mahia an unassailable lead at the top of the table with two matches still left to play, sealing a record-extending 22nd league title for K’Ogalo.

Interestingly, Gor Mahia secured the championship without even stepping onto the pitch this weekend.

Their scheduled match against Mara Sugar had earlier been halted following intervention by the Sports Disputes Tribunal over disagreements surrounding the venue for the fixture.

Despite the uncertainty around their own match, Gor Mahia only needed AFC Leopards to drop points in Kericho to mathematically confirm the title, and that is exactly what happened.

APS Bomet delivered one of the biggest surprises of the season by defeating Ingwe 2-1 at Green Stadium in Kericho, ending AFC Leopards’ fading hopes of a historic league triumph.

AFC Leopards entered the match knowing only a victory would keep the title race alive heading into the final rounds.

However, APS Bomet produced a spirited second-half display under coach Sammy “Pamzo” Omollo to overturn expectations and sink Ingwe’s challenge.

According to match reports, Philip Wasai scored a crucial brace for APS Bomet, while AFC Leopards were unable to recover despite pushing hard late in the game.

The defeat left AFC Leopards four points behind Gor Mahia with only one match remaining, officially ending the race.

Gor Mahia’s triumph caps another dominant domestic campaign for the Nairobi-based club.

Throughout the season, K’Ogalo consistently maintained pressure at the summit through a combination of defensive discipline, crucial derby victories, and impressive away performances.

One of the defining moments of the campaign came on April 26 when Gor Mahia defeated AFC Leopards 1-0 in the Mashemeji Derby, a result that proved decisive in the final standings.

That victory allowed Gor Mahia to open a critical gap over their longtime rivals during the closing stages of the season.

For much of the season, the FKF Premier League title race had remained extremely competitive.

At one point earlier in the campaign, only two points separated Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, with Ingwe mounting their strongest title challenge in years.

AFC Leopards had revived hopes of ending their long league title drought through a strong run of form that included victories over Mara Sugar, Ulinzi Stars, and Murang’a Seal.

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However, crucial defeats against Kenya Police and Gor Mahia during the final stretch ultimately proved costly.

The latest triumph further cements Gor Mahia’s status as the most successful club in Kenyan football history.

Their 22 league titles now place them comfortably ahead of every other club in the country.

The title also strengthens the club’s dominance in the modern FKF Premier League era, where they have regularly set the standard both domestically and in continental qualification campaigns.

Several players played pivotal roles during Gor Mahia’s successful season.

The squad showed consistency across all departments, while experienced figures stepped up during decisive fixtures.

Midfield creativity, defensive solidity, and strong performances in high-pressure matches helped K’Ogalo maintain control of the title race throughout the campaign.

Former club star Austin Odhiambo had earlier been among the notable figures associated with the squad’s recent success before his move abroad.

With the title already secured, Gor Mahia can now focus on finishing the season strongly and preparing for continental football next season.

Attention will also turn toward:

FKF Cup competitions
CAF interclub qualification preparations
Potential squad reinforcements
Coaching and transfer decisions ahead of the new campaign

For AFC Leopards, the focus now shifts to rebuilding after coming painfully close to ending their decades-long wait for a league title.

Despite the disappointment, Ingwe showed major improvement this season and demonstrated that the gap between Kenya’s biggest rivals may be narrowing once again.

Gor Mahia’s latest championship once again highlights the enduring dominance of one of East Africa’s biggest football institutions.

Winning the league with games to spare, and without kicking a ball on the decisive day, perfectly summarizes a season where K’Ogalo consistently found ways to stay ahead of the chasing pack.

As celebrations erupt among the Green Army faithful, Kenyan football now turns its attention toward what could become another exciting era in the fierce rivalry between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.