The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League title race has reached fever pitch with just seven matches left, and Tusker FC have seized the moment to climb to the summit following a weekend of high drama, unexpected upsets, and narrowing margins.
The brewers, who began the weekend trailing Kenya Police, made the most of their opportunity, edging out Nairobi City Stars 1-0 to snatch top spot on 51 points.
Denis Wanjala was the match-winner for Tusker, his first-half strike proving decisive in a tense encounter against the relegation-threatened City Stars. The goal not only secured all three points but also underlined Tusker’s growing resolve as the race to crown the 2024-2025 FKF Premier League champions enters the final stretch.
Speaking after his crucial goal, Wanjala expressed both pride and caution, knowing the journey is far from over. “I am happy to have helped Tusker win. Scoring in the penultimate match was important not only for me but also the team as we fight towards winning the title. The race is wide open and we need all maximum points we can get. A game at a time,” Wanjala said.
The victory, coupled with the slip-up by Kenya Police, was enough to catapult Tusker to the top. Police, who had been leading the standings, faltered on Friday, suffering a surprise 1-0 defeat at the hands of Ulinzi Stars. The loss dropped them to second place on 49 points, allowing Tusker to leapfrog them in the standings.
Defending champions Gor Mahia sit third with 47 points, but the record league winners still hold a crucial advantage. Having played one game fewer than both Tusker and Kenya Police, K’Ogalo have a chance to trim the gap to just a single point — setting the stage for a nail-biting climax to the season.
Shabana FC have quietly forced their way into the conversation as potential dark horses in the title race. A commanding 4-2 win over FC Talanta over the weekend lifted them to fourth place on 43 points, eight adrift of leaders Tusker. While the odds may not favor a late charge for the crown, their current form suggests they could still shake up the top four and cause problems for the frontrunners.
Meanwhile, the bottom of the table is equally intense, with the battle for survival as heated as the fight for the title. Nairobi City Stars, having fallen to Tusker, remain rooted at the bottom with 24 points. Murang’a SEAL, who also have 26 points, occupy 17th, just ahead of Talanta who are also locked on 26 points but hold the relegation-promotion playoff slot courtesy of a marginally better goal difference.
The gap to safety is still within reach, but the window is rapidly closing for the bottom three. Bidco United, currently 15th with 27 points, and Posta Rangers, 14th with 28 points, are also in dangerous territory. A few poor results could easily drag them deeper into the relegation dogfight.
For now, the league’s script is one of relentless pressure at both ends of the table. The top four are locked in a tight contest for glory, with Tusker hoping to hold their nerve as Kenya Police and Gor Mahia lurk ominously close. Shabana, fresh from their latest victory, might yet have their say in the title narrative too.
At the other end, City Stars and Murang’a SEAL face an uphill battle to avoid the drop, and every point from here on will be the difference between survival and demotion to the National Super League.
With seven matches remaining, the FKF Premier League promises a thrilling finale, with champions to be crowned, hearts to be broken, and legacies to be written before the season’s end.
