News Focus
- The Sports Disputes Tribunal has issued orders stopping Sunday’s fixture between Gor Mahia and Mara Sugar.
- Mara Sugar successfully appealed against FKF’s decision to move the match to Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay.
- The venue dispute began when the federation rejected Awendo Green Stadium on safety grounds.
- Gor Mahia could have won their 22nd league title with victory in this penultimate match of the season.
- AFC Leopards remain four points behind and await the outcome to keep their championship hopes alive.
Gor Mahia’s hopes of securing the FKF Premier League trophy this weekend have been put on hold. The Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) has intervened to stop their crucial match against Mara Sugar from going ahead as planned.
The tribunal issued fresh orders blocking the Sunday fixture. This action follows a formal appeal by Mara Sugar challenging the Football Kenya Federation’s directive on where the game should take place.
The federation had instructed both clubs to stage the encounter at Raila Odinga International Stadium in Homa Bay. Mara Sugar strongly opposes this venue. They argue that the location effectively hands home advantage to Gor Mahia, who command huge support across the Nyanza region.
The disagreement began nearly two weeks ago. Mara Sugar initially selected Awendo Green Stadium to host the penultimate match of the 2025/26 campaign. However, the federation vetoed this choice citing safety concerns and insufficient capacity for the anticipated crowd.
The Awendo-based club then proposed Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga as an alternative. The federation rejected this option as well. Instead, they mandated a switch to Homa Bay, pointing out that Mara Sugar had previously registered Raila Odinga Stadium as their secondary home ground.
Mara Sugar views this decision as unfair. They insist that playing in Homa Bay puts them at a severe disadvantage against their opponents. The club confirmed they took legal action to challenge what they describe as an arbitrary ruling by the federation’s Leagues and Competition Committee.
The postponement creates uncertainty in the title race. Gor Mahia currently lead the standings. A win in this fixture would have crowned them champions for a record 22nd time with one match remaining.
AFC Leopards trail their arch-rivals by four points in second position. If Sunday’s match is cancelled or delayed, Leopards retain a mathematical chance of catching up. Their own result against APS Bomet this weekend could also determine the destiny of the trophy.