With both teams having two matches to play, AFC Leopards under coach Fred Ambani, needed a victory to keep pressure on their nemesis. However, AFC failed to capitalise on their game against the law enforcers, suffering defeat.
The defeat left Gor Mahia four points clear at the top, meaning if AFC Leopards win their remaining fixture against Bidco United, they will not be able to overtake the league leaders.
So far, Gor Mahia have amassed 68 points from 32 matches while AFC Leopards are second with 64 points. While Leopards have a game to play, Gor Mahia have two matches to conclude the season.
Gor Mahia clinch 22nd title
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) were the first to congratulate Gor Mahia for their latest success while FKF boss Hussein Mohammed took to social media to send a message to the new champions in town.
“Congratulations Gor Mahia for winning the 2025-26 FKF League title,” read a statement from Mohammed.
In a game AFC Leopards needed a win to keep their title hopes alive; it was APS Bomet, who dominated the early stages. Despite Bomet’s display, the first half produced a 0-0 draw.
However, in the second half, APS Bomet returned a more rejuvenated side, and scored two goals in quick succession. Philip Wasai struck twice to dent Ingwe’s chances before Cliff Otieno scored an own goal to give AFC Leopards lifeline.
However, APS Bomet under coach Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo defended the remaining minutes of added time to register victory and hand Gor Mahia their record 22nd league title in history.
Ambani blames referees for defeat
An agitated Ambani blamed AFC Leopards’ defeat to poor officiating, and called on FKF to work on the issue before Kenyan football goes to the dogs.
“If we cannot change the officiating, we have a problem in Kenya. You cannot give a title-deciding game to a referee like this. The federation has to look into this,” Ambani told reporters after the game.
“Beja had made a run towards goal and was pulled back but he was denied a penalty and there was no booking.
“You cannot be coming into a game with a pre-determined mind. It is wrong. The federation has to look at this. The kind of games they give to referees. I have never complained about referees but today, it is bull***t.”
With the title gone, Ambani was asked about his plans for next season. He said: “We are going to prepare for next season but it will be useless if coaches do the work and decisions are made elsewhere.
“We cannot sell Kenyan football if there are many things under the surface. We must first clean the mess that is in the officiating. Once we do that, then we will get fairness in this league.”
Gor Mahia official Sally Bolo responded to Ambani’s claims by saying: “As football leaders, administrators and coaches, we must uphold civility, professionalism and the true spirit of sportsmanship.
“Unfortunately, we have lately witnessed emotional outbursts that only end up discrediting the same league our clubs participate in and work hard to grow.
“The remarks by the AFC Leopards coach Ambani after their 2-1 loss to APS Bomet were unfortunate, shocking and carried dangerous ethnic undertones, insinuating that match officials were influenced to favour or frustrate certain teams. That line of thinking is unacceptable and has no place in modern football.”
Bolo added: “Referees are appointed based on competence and merit by the relevant authorities, not ethnic orientation. We cannot normalise profiling officials or looking for scapegoats every time results do not go our way. Football must unite us, not divide us along tribal lines.
“As Gor Mahia celebrates yet another deserved league title, let us all remember that winning and losing are part of the game, but respect for the sport and its institutions must always come first.
“We need to style up and protect the integrity of Kenyan football.”
Gor Mahia’s next matches will be against Mara Sugar, before they conclude the season against Nairobi United.
