•Tomorrow, Bandari FC, under new coach Ken Odhiambo, who is in his third stint, will kickstart the campaign against Posta Rangers in an early kick-off at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos from 1 pm.
•Talanta FC vs Gor Mahia match has been postponed because their opponents K'Ogalo are involved in the CAF Champions League second leg preliminary against Sudan’s El Mehreik.
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Battle lines have been drawn as the FKF Premier League 2024–25 season kicks off this weekend, with seven matches lined up across the country.
After an array of changes in the coaching departments and playing units, contenders will be separated from pretenders as perennial champions Gor Mahia, hope to complete a treble again.
Tomorrow, Bandari FC, under new coach Ken Odhiambo, who is in his third stint, will kick start the campaign against Posta Rangers in an early kick-off at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos from 1 pm.
Odhiambo hopes to start their maiden title chase with victory, while new Rangers coach Bernard Kawinzi, who will be in charge of his first season, hopes to stop them on their tracks.
Meanwhile, last season's runners-up, Tusker FC, will face Sofapaka, with new coach Charles Okere hoping to impress his bosses with a victory against Sofapaka at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos at 4 pm.
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Batoto ba Mungu are led by immediate former Tusker coach Robert Matano, who knows his former assistant Okere well and will be hoping to upset the new-look brewers
Shabana FC will be up against Bidco United at Bidco Thika county stadium. Shabana head coach Sammy “Pamzo” Omollo will be hoping their new Sh75 million SportPesa deal will motivate his players to victory against the tricky oil men led by Anthony Akhulia.
Last season’s FKF cup runners-up, KCB FC, will play Kariobangi Sharks at Police Sacco grounds, in a repeat of last season’s domestic cup semifinals, where the bankers won 4-2 on post-match penalties after playing to a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes.
This will be a different ball game altogether, as KCB have a new coach, Benard Odhiambo, formerly with Kakamega Homeboyz FC. As Odhimabo leads the bankers out of the dressing room, he’ll face veteran manager William Muluya, who takes his slot in the Sharks dugout for the ninth season.
Muluya is currently the longest-serving manager in one local club, despite the changes seen this season.
On Sunday, AFC Leopards will face returnee Mathare United at Dandora Stadium from 3 pm, with Ingwe head coach Tomas Trucha hoping to start their new quest for the KPL title with a victory.
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Ingwe beefed up with four new faces, led by South Sudan captain, Peter Marek who is the tallest player in the league, standing 6 feet 6 inches.
Trucha’s counterpart John Kamau, will be leading the Slum Boys for the second stint, with his main mandate being stabilising the team and avoiding relegation.
Elsewhere, newcomers, Mara Sugar FC will face Kakamega Homeboyz at Awendo Green Stadium at 3 pm on Sunday, with the NSL league winners hoping to continue their good run from the lower tier.
However, they face veteran coach Ken Kenyatta, who has been in the game for over two decades. Kenyatta will be seeking to teach newcomer Benedict Wanjala—first-timer in the KPL touchline, some top-flight lessons.
Meanwhile, the Military side Ulinzi Stars will be up against Muranga Seal at the Ulinzi complex from 3 pm. New Ulinzi coach Danstun Nyaudo, who is in his second stint, will be hoping to lead his troops to victory. To lay the foundation for the elusive title they last won in 2010.
Nyaudo battles another veteran in Juma Abdallah, who hopes to lead the SportPesa sponsored side to their maiden title.
Talanta FC head coach Jackline, who made history by being appointed the first-ever female coach in the men’s top-flight league, will wait longer to make her debut.
Talanta FC vs Gor Mahia match has been postponed because their opponents K'Ogalo are involved in the CAF Champions League second leg preliminary against Sudan’s El Mehreik.
Police FC vs City Stars was also cancelled since the cops are in Ethiopia for the CAF Confederations return leg against Ethiopia Coffee FC in Addis Ababa.
City Stars have Leonardo Odipo in charge and he will be hoping to help steer the Kawangware side's sheep to safety, despite the club being put up for sale.
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Due to the club licensing act, all coaches in the KPL top flight must have a CAF "A" licence, which led to more than 10 clubs making adjustments.
While some coaches were demoted, others were sacked, with four making their KPL debut.
Out of the 18 clubs, only Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have foreign coaches. KO'gallo are led by Brazilian new comer Leonardo Neiva, while Ingwe have Tomas Trucha from Czech Republic. Meanwhile, Talanta FC have Jackline Juma, the first-ever female coach in the male dominated Kenyan premier league.
The departure of former Mathare United coach Francis Kimanzi to the Tanzanian side Tabora United leaves Sammy Pamzo Omollo and Robert Matano as the only KPL winners currently on the touchline.
The tacticians will be sweating on the touchline to grind results knowing too well that the KPL title has exchanged hands between Gor Mahia and Tusker FC for the last 14 years.
Ulinzi Stars was the last team outside Nairobi to clinch the title in 2010, with Kogallo boasting nine titles since then and Tusker grabbing four.
As the first hurdle to the title starts tommorow, it promises to be a dramatic bumpy ride, just like some playing grounds are. Some coaches won't complete the race sadly but at the end of the season a champion will be declares, while two teams will drop to the National super league.
Fans have to fasten their seat belts and watch "football made in Kenya" and enjoy to the fullest, but most importantly they have to manage their expectations because footbal has no manners.