- AFC Leopards headlined SportPesa League Matchweek Five as they picked up their first win of the season against KCB.
- APS Bomet and Tusker FC also joined the winners’ ranks, each securing their first victories of the campaign.
- Gor Mahia continued to impress with three consecutive wins under Charles Akonnor, while Shabana’s injury woes continued to haunt their home performances.
The SportPesa League 2025/26 is rapidly taking shape, and its fifth round delivered action-packed fixtures from Kisii in the far west, through central Nairobi, and up to Murang’a in the north-east.
Seven fixtures were played, tipping off on Friday with a standalone match that saw Bidco United and Mara Sugar play to a goalless draw at Awendo Green Stadium.
The action continued with three matches each on Saturday and Sunday across various venues.
Four teams were exempt from the weekend’s fixtures.
Kenya Police FC was on continental duty, representing the nation in the CAF Champions League.
However, their journey ended in the second preliminary round, where they were knocked out by Al Hilal Omdurman on aggregate.
Therefore, their league match against Sofapaka was postponed to a later date.
Another side absent from round five was Nairobi United, who were also engaged in a CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round tie.
The NaiBois made history on Sunday by eliminating Tunisian Giants Etoile Sportive Du Sahel via a penalty shootout, marking their first-ever qualification for the group stages.
Their scheduled match against Bandari FC was also postponed.
Shifting to the on-field drama, Saturday was headlined by AFC Leopards and APS Bomet, who each secured their first wins of the season.
Sunday saw Gor Mahia attain their third consecutive victory, Tusker collect their first three points, and Shabana suffer an upset at Gusii Stadium. These are among the top talking points from an electrifying round five.
SportPesa Blog highlights the key stories from the SportPesa League Round 5 action.
Shabana FC suffer back-to-back home losses, extending winless run
A dominant Shabana FC fell to a disappointing 0-1 defeat against Mathare United at Gusii Stadium on Sunday. Their former player, Dennis Okoth, punished his old club with a rare first-half goal.
This loss marks their second consecutive defeat at home, having also fallen 1-2 to Posta Rangers at the same venue. This extends their winless streak to three matches, following an earlier 1-1 draw with Tusker FC.
ALSO READ: Okoth haunts former club Shabana to give Mathare United win at Gusii Stadium
These results have seen the Kisii-based club, which started the season on a high note with back-to-back wins and a spot at the top of the table, crash down to fourth place with seven points.
It is evident that Peter Okidi’s squad is feeling the effects of significant injuries that have recently plagued the team, with several key players sidelined.
Against Mathare, they created chances but lacked a clinical edge in the final third.
This problem is compounded by the absence of creative attacker Brian Michira, who will be out for the next six weeks with a groin injury.
Okidi is attempting to integrate new signing Bronson Nsubuga to fill the void, but the player is still finding his rhythm.
Others, like Gilbert Abala and Brian Olega, are also in a transitional phase with the club.
The sooner they develop chemistry, the better, as the team prepares to face an unbeaten AFC Leopards – a match where a victory would be a major milestone in their quest to return to winning ways.
Finally: AFC Leopards secure their first win of the season
On Saturday, Ingwe hosted KCB at the Ulinzi Sports Complex for their fourth match.
After three consecutive opening draws, it was the Bankers who provided them with their maiden victory of the campaign, a 2-1 win.
AFC Leopards took control from the start, with Boniface Kweyu Munyendo scoring just 60 seconds into the match.
KCB’s Francis capitalized on defensive lapses to level the score, but Christopher Koloti managed to restore Ingwe’s lead, securing three crucial points.
These points not only boosted the 12-time champions to eighth place with six points but also eased the immense pressure from their loyal fans, who were desperate for a win.
ALSO READ: AFC Leopards finally shake off pressure with first SportPesa League win against KCB
Nonetheless, Ingwe still need to work on their defensive coordination, midfield link-ups, and sharpness in the final third as they prepare for a mid-week fixture against Shabana at Gusii Stadium.
APS Bomet secure first-ever SportPesa League win
League newcomers APS Bomet came from a goal down to secure a historic first SportPesa League win, beating Kariobangi Sharks 2-1 at Kasarani Annex on Saturday.
The law enforcers were under immense pressure and desperate for a victory, having lost three consecutive matches, which left them at the bottom of the table. Sharks broke the deadlock first through Markvivan Kesa.
In the second half, Coach Wafula’s several tactical changes paid off, as his team began to dominate.
They secured the comeback with two late goals from Duncan Mogasa and Philip Wasai, clinching their first top-flight win.
ALSO READ: APS Bomet rally from behind to win first-ever SportPesa League match
Despite the three points, APS Bomet remains at the bottom of the table, as other results did not favor them.
However, the win provides vital momentum as they host Kakamega Homeboyz at Green Stadium Kericho on Wednesday October 29; another victory would significantly boost morale in their debut season.
Gor Mahia win third consecutive match under Charles Akonnor
After a 3-0 victory against Posta Rangers at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday, the record Kenyan champions are closing in on the top of the table.
They are now just one point behind the leaders, as Kakamega Homeboyz and Posta Rangers sit first and second with 10 points each, while Gor is third with nine.
ALSO READ: Gor Mahia pay powerful tribute to Raila Odinga with emphatic win over Posta Rangers
After starting their campaign with a loss, K’Ogalo have shown remarkable improvement, securing maximum points from their last three matches.
On Sunday, they paid a special tribute to their late patron, the Honorable Raila Odinga, with a win sealed by goals from Ben Stanley Omondi, Austin Odhiambo, and Felix Oluoch Mboya, despite a slow first half where they missed several chances.
The 21-time top-flight champions have visibly improved their efficiency in the final third, a key element they lacked last season.
Odhiambo, after missing two consecutive penalties and experiencing a goal drought, finally found the net.
Ben Stanley Omondi also scored his first of the season, while Felix Oluoch punished his former employer with his second goal of the season with Gor.
ALSO READ: Gor Mahia head coach Akonnor regrets not meeting ‘great man’ Raila Odinga
Their goals not only secured three crucial points but also ended Posta Rangers’ four-match unbeaten run.
Gor will now look to polish a few details before taking on Mathare United in a midweek fixture on Thursday, with a chance to go top of the table if other results favor them, as they charge towards reclaiming the title.
Tusker FC pick up first win of the season
The 12-time champions finally managed to secure their first three points of the SportPesa League, having gone four matches without a win.
The Charles Okere-led side visited Murang’a SEAL at the SportPesa Arena on Sunday and narrowly escaped with a 1-0 victory.
Erick Kapaito scored his second goal of the season since rejoining the Brewers, easing the pressure after a run of two draws and two losses.
Adding these three points to their previous two, Tusker moved off the bottom of the table to 13th place with five points, simultaneously handing Murang’a SEAL their third consecutive loss.
SportPesa League 2025/26 standings after Round Five
Kakamega Homeboyz top the table with 10 points after back-to-back 3-1 wins against Bidco United and Ulinzi Stars.
They are followed by Posta Rangers, who also have 10 points but an inferior goal difference after losing to Gor Mahia. Gor sits in third with nine points.
Shabana stays fourth with seven points, level with fifth-placed Mathare United and sixth-placed Bidco United.
Sofapaka, Murang’a SEAL, and APS Bomet occupy the bottom three spots with four and three points, in 16th, 17th, and 18th place respectively.
The defending champions, Kenya Police FC, sit in 15th place with four points from just two matches played.
