GOR THE KPL DORMINANTS
- MakEvans
- Apr 5, 2019
- 3 min read
The Kenya Premier League (KPL) also known as the Sportpesa Premier league due to sponsorship reasons has been in operation since the last 56 years. The league was founded in 1963 by the then football body called Kenya Football Federation KFF. The league is now under the management of Football Kenya Federation FKF under the chairmanship of Nick Mwendwa.
Since its inception, the league has seen a total of 12 teams taking the trophy home. Nakuru AllStars was the first team to be crowned the champions in the inception year 1963. Luo Union followed then in the year 1964. Most of the early league winners have gone into extinction. The likes of Feisal FC that were winners in the year 1965, Utalii FC winners of 1997 are nowhere to be seen. Oserian FC the winners of 2001 and 2002 suffered back to back relegation from the top league in 2012 having been promoted in 2011. The Nakuru based club currently plays in Kenya National Super League.
The current champions Gor Mahia tops the chat with 17 trophies and looks to add to their tally owing to their current position on the premier league table. AFC Leopard the once arc rivals of Gor Mahia comes second with 12 trophies, followed by Tusker FC who command 11 titles. Ulinzi Stars come forth from a distance with 4 titles, the now extinct Luo Union is 5th with 2 titles sharing the spot with Oserian FC. Nakuru AllStars, Feisal, Utalii, Sony Sugar, Mathare United and Sofapaka have all tested the KPL glory once.
Gor Mahia171968, 1974, 1976, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018
A.F.C. Leopards121966, 1967, 1970, 1973, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1998
Tusker111972, 1977, 1978, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2016
Ulinzi Stars42003, 2004, 2005, 2010
AFC Leopards won the league title last in 1998, since then the fight has all been a one team affair. Gor Mahia have taken command of the league leaving no chance to any team. They have crowned champions five times since 2013 with a break coming in 2016 when Tusker FC broke their dominance and won the cup. This leaves a question in the mind of football fanatics, is the KPL a one team race?
The match talked about Mashemeji rival is long gone. Gor Mhia have dominating every match pitting them with AFC Leopards. At the moment, AFC Leopards have been fighting a relegation battle. This is so unlikely to a team that was once the pride of the league.
Today’s writing is about Gor Mahia dominance in the domestic league. Having played 19 games so far, Gor are on the league summit with 44 points. And with the kind of the game played by other teams, compared to their game, they do not need like they are going to drop points any soon. They are smilling at the chance to grab their 18th KPL trophy.
Gor have had a chance to play international matches with different top rated clubs. Their first breakthrough came in when they played Hull City in England courtesy of Sportpesa. They also got a chance to host them here in Nairobi May last year. They went ahead and played against Everton in a match played in Dar ES Salaam Tanzania where they lost 2 – 1. Their endevours were rewarded again after then won an opportunity ton play against Everton at Goodison Park last year November. Although the team received a 4-0 thrashing, the exposure and experience learnt has been instrumental in their current CAF Confederation Championship matches.
Gor Mahia are scheduled to play against RSB Berkane in a CAF Confederation Cupb quarter final on 7th April. It’s another match for exposure and building for the club. Success of this two legged match will mean they qualify for the semis a thus will keep the green army flag high forever. The benefits that come with such matches are contributing to the growth the club. The money and accolades add up to the motivation of players and raises their game to higher standards. All these put into consideration, Gor, are bound to take dominance of the Kenya Premier League for more years to come.
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