- AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia were among the teams headlining the SportPesa League Round 8 Talking Points.
- The SportPesa League 2025/26 season entered Round 8 from Friday, November 7 to Monday, November 10.
- All nine thrilling fixtures were staged across various venues across the country.
Just before the two-week FIFA November international break, Round 8 of the SportPesa League 25/26 delivered a blockbuster slate of action across various venues in the country.
All nine fixtures were played, from the Western Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega to the rain-soaked and unplayable Awendo Green Stadium in Kericho, all the way to the heart of Nairobi City, with the action also unfolding down at the coast at Mombasa’s Mbaraki Sports Club.
Following Monday’s fixture where Sofapaka stunned Posta Rangers 2-0, a standalone match was also played on Friday where Tusker faced Bidco United and extended their good form with a 1-0 victory.
Saturday featured a double-header where newcomers Nairobi United pummeled a struggling Kariobangi Sharks 4-2.
Meanwhile, Mara Sugar hosted AFC Leopards at the unplayable Awendo Green Stadium- a condition lamented by coach Fred Ambani and managed to end Ingwe’s unbeaten streak with two late goals.
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Sunday saw five fixtures, with Shabana seizing their first three points after a run of poor form by beating Ulinzi Stars.
Gor Mahia headlined the day, proving why seven of their players earned national team call-ups after stunning the reigning champions, Kenya Police, to take control of the SportPesa League summit.
So, what were the major talking points from Round 8? The SportPesa Blog highlights the best of the weekend’s action.
SportPesa League Round 8 Talking Points
Mara Sugar becomes a thorn in AFC Leopards’ Side, ending their good run
Arriving at Awendo Green Stadium, AFC Leopards were seeking a seventh consecutive unbeaten match and a chance to climb to the top of the table, at least temporarily, before Gor Mahia played on Sunday.
However, Ingwe squandered that opportunity, missing clear chances throughout the match that ultimately came back to haunt them in the dying minutes.
Mara Sugar, in their second Kenya Premier League season since promotion, capitalized on a lapse in Ingwe’s backline.
Substitute Denni Cheruyiot headed home the opener and, just two minutes into added time, doubled the lead to punish Fred Ambani’s squad. The loss leaves Leopards in fourth place with 12 points.
ALSO READ: AFC Leopards coach blames poor Awendo pitch for loss to Mara Sugar
This is a frustrating setback for a team boasting the current Player of the Month for October, Vincent Mahiga, who has been a rock in their defense.
Ambani, himself nominated for the Coach of the Month, blamed the poor Awendo pitch for snapping their 14-match unbeaten run. Ingwe still have clear work to do in their final third and defense during the two-week international break.
Shabana finally ends five-match winless streak
Shabana’s campaign this season has been a rollercoaster of emotions from the very beginning.
They started the season on a strong footing, even appearing to join the title race, before a cascade of injuries led to a poor run.
This included three consecutive home defeats and two draws before Sunday’s narrow 1-0 away victory over Ulinzi Stars, courtesy of a goal from Mark Okola.
The win provides a crucial morale boost for the still-injured Kisii-based outfit. Coach Peter Okidi remains firm that they are still in title contention despite the setbacks, as they currently sit in eighth place with 11 points- just five points behind leaders Gor Mahia.
Gor Mahia means business, schooling defending Champions Kenya Police FC
It might be early to judge title contenders, but Gor Mahia have firmly cemented themselves as a team with serious ambitions.
On Sunday, Charles Akonnor’s charges visited the reigning champions, Kenya Police, at Nyayo National Stadium and not only schooled them with a 2-0 win but also ended Police’s unbeaten run.
Akonnor, nominated for the SportPesa Coach of the Month, has transformed the team, solidifying both their defense and attack.
For this encounter, he masterfully switched from his usual 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2 formation, a tactical shift that paid dividends.
In-form forward Felix Oluoch Mboya scored his fourth goal of his debut season, while Shariff Musa, also a Player of the Month nominee, continued his fine form by getting on the scoresheet.
ALSO READ: SportPesa unveils October Coach of the Month nominees
Gor finally seized control of the league summit with 16 points and still have a game in hand.
Their excellent performance has been rewarded, with seven players called up to the national team squad for November friendlies in Turkey- Bryne Omondi, Sylvester Owino, Michael Kibwage, Bryton Onyango, Alpha Onyango, Austin Ochieng, and Shariff Musa.
The remaining players have two weeks to improve in the areas they’ve come up short before the season resumes, as they seek to extend their impressive six-match unbeaten run (five wins and one draw), having lost just once this season.
Nairobi United soaring in their debut Season
The CAF Confederation Cup group stage history-makers are now soaring in their maiden Kenya Premier League campaign.
The NaiBois have only lost twice in their six matches, winning the rest. Their most recent performance was a massive 4-2 victory over Kariobangi Sharks at Dandora Stadium.
This form has catapulted them to third place on the log with 12 points, firmly establishing them as early title contenders.
SportPesa League Standings After Round 8
The record champions, Gor Mahia, lead the table with 16 points.
Kakamega Homeboyz, after a 1-1 draw with Murang’a SEAL, sit second with 15 points.
Nairobi United follows closely in third with 12 points, level with AFC Leopards, Tusker FC, and Posta Rangers, who occupy the fourth, fifth, and sixth spots, respectively.
ALSO READ: October SportPesa Player of the Month nominees announced
At the bottom, a lacking experienced Kariobangi Sharks side continues to struggle, sitting 16th with six points, level with Ulinzi Stars in 17th.
APS Bomet, despite a draw with Mathare United, remain at the foot of the table with five points.