The 2025/26 season of Kenya’s top-tier club football competition, the SportPesa League, officially kicks off today, Friday, September 19, with Tusker FC hosting KCB FC at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi, at 6pm EAT.
Featuring 18 teams, this season promises excitement after the gaming company SportPesa invested KES1 billion to acquire the league’s naming rights.
The winners will take home KES15 million in prize money at the end of the season, while the second and third-place finishers will earn KES3 million and KES2 million, respectively.
Tusker kicks off the league with the pain of last season still fresh in their minds after they let the title slip from their grasp in the latter stages of the contest – they dropped from the top and finished in fourth place.
Head coach Charles Okere and his squad are hungry for their 13th league title, aiming not only for revenge but to reassert their dominance early.
To bolster their squad, the Brewers have made several new signings, hoping to fill the void left by lethal striker Ryan Wesley Ogam, who joined Austrian side Wolfsberger.
Okere will be looking to transform 2018 MVP Eric Kapaito into a prolific goalscorer to replace Ryan Ogam after the forward signed with the team this season.
On the other hand, the KCB will be aiming for another strong start this season. Under new management led by Robert Matano, they will also be seeking to claim the ultimate prize.
The Bankers were one of the busiest teams during the transfer window, signing nearly 18 players as part of their strategy to renew the squad.
The squad has undergone major reinforcement across all positions. In goal, Arnold Matumule from Rutsiro FC and Elvis Ocharo Ochieng from Nairobi City Stars add depth.
The defence has been boosted with Rowland Makati (Nairobi City Stars), Fadhili Masoud (Dodoma Jiji), Josphat Andafu Mukhwana (Tusker Youth), Kenneth Wambua (Dynamo), Gideon Samuel Werre (AFC Leopards), Amatton Samunya (Ulinzi Stars), and Clyde Sinaji Navade (Nyasa Big Bullets).
In midfield, experience meets creativity with Humphrey Mieno (Sofapaka), Apollo Otieno (Dodoma Jiji), Jack Okello Onganya (Sofapaka), Fortune Omoto (Kariobangi Sharks), and Richard Omondi (Leeds United).
On the wings, Bonface Omondi Owino (Gor Mahia) adds pace, while in attack, Kelvin Etemesi Injili (Nairobi City Stars) and Congolese forward Tedja Wanumbi (FC Mwan) will spearhead the goal hunt.
At the heart of the team, Matano has handed the captain’s armband to long-serving defender Nahashon Alembi, entrusting him with leading the new-look squad.
Speaking during the team’s luncheon at the KCB Leadership Centre, Coach Robert Matano said: “We have built a team that combines experience, energy, and ambition. The players understand the task ahead, and our focus is to start the season strongly against Tusker. It won’t be easy, but I believe in the character and quality of this group to deliver results and make our fans proud.”
“The mood with the boys is good; the morale is very high. The preparations have been excellent, and I can say we are ready for the match. Apart from a few injuries, the rest of the team is fine.”
“This match will not solely determine our league fate, but all we have to do is take it, and the matches that follow, one at a time, and if possible, win every one of them. We are going to approach each game as it comes.”
Last season, KCB took four points from Tusker, with a 3-2 win in the first leg and a 0-0 draw in the return fixture.
As the new SportPesa League gets underway, this encounter is expected to be a fiercely contested battle.
KCB Football Club is eyeing a fresh chapter as they begin the new season on Friday against Tusker FC, under newly appointed head coach Robert Matano.
The Bankers, who finished 9th last season with 42 points, have set their sights on a maiden league title, with Matano tasked to deliver silverware for the Ruaraka-based side.
“It is an honour to captain this team at such an exciting time. We have a good mix of experienced and young players, and together we are determined to fight for the club’s first league title. The responsibility is big, but I am ready to lead by example on and off the pitch,” KCP captain Nahashon Alembi said.
2025/26 SportPesa League Matchday 1 fixtures
Tusker vs KCB – Nyayo Stadium (Friday, 6pm)
Kariobangi Sharks vs Bandari – Kasarani Annex (Saturday, 1pm)
AFC Leopards vs Sofapaka – Ulinzi Complex (Saturday, 4pm)
Shabana vs APS Bomet – Gusii Stadium (Sunday, 2pm)
Murang’a Seal vs Ulinzi Stars – SportPesa Arena (Sunday, 3pm)
Gor Mahia vs Bidco United – Kasarani Stadium (Sunday, 4pm)
