FKF-PL: Raila watches as Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards kick off 2022-23 season with wins
Football
By
Washington Onyango
| Nov 19, 2022
Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia and perennial rivals AFC Leopards on Saturday kicked off the 2022-2023 Football Kenya Federation Premier League season on a winning note after winning their opening season matches in Nairobi.
K'Ogalo narrowly saw off Nzoia Sugar 1-0 at Nyayo Stadium while Ingwe emerged 2-0 victors against Ulinzi Stars at Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Former Kisumu Day prodigy Benson Omalla scored the winner for Gor Mahia at Nyayo in the second half as club patron and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga watched from the stands.
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Raila is an ardent sports enthusiast who has not only graced many of Gor Mahia's matches but is also a frequent fan at Emirates Stadium supporting current English Premier League (EPL) leaders Arsenal.
It took 53 minutes for Gor to score in front of Raila when Benson Omala who had a quiet first half rose high to head home a free kick delivered by Sydney Ochieng.
The win saw new Gor coach Jonathan McKinstry kick off his tenure with a win.
At Ulinzi Sports Complex, former Homeboyz coach Benard Mwalala had a debut to forget after his side Ulinzi Stars failed to shoot their guns in a 2-0 defeat to AFC Leopards.
Nigerian international Kingsley Ojo Fansanmi gave Ingwe the lead inside the opening two minutes before grabbing his brace from the spot later into the second half as AFC Leopards moved top of the standings with three points and a goal difference of two goals.
Gor Mahia and Tusker who defeated Kakamega Homeboyz 2-1 follow suit.
Four other matches will be played on Sunday where Nairobi City Stars will take on Bidco United at Ruaraka Grounds, Kenya Police host KCB at Kasarani
Annex, and Talanta facing Kariobangi Sharks at Kasarani.
2022-2023 FKF-PL Opening Fixtures
Saturday Results
Homeboyz 1-2 Tusker
Ulinzi Stars 0-2 AFC Leopards
Gor Mahia 1-0 Nzoia Sugar
Sunday Fixtures
Bandari v Sofapaka (Mbaraki)
Talanta v Kariobangi Sharks (Kasarani)
Kenya Police v KCB (Kasarani Annex)
Nairobi City Stars v Bidco (Kasarani Annex)
Postponed
Posta Rangers v Mathare United (Thika)
Vihiga Bullets v Wazito (Bukhungu)
(All matches kickoff 3pm)