The 2026/27 SportPesa League season kicked off over the weekend with Tusker FC and Shabana FC recording victories, while several other teams settled for draws in an opening round that showcased the competition’s early promise.
Defending champions Tusker made an impressive start on Sunday, October 11, defeating Ulinzi Stars 2-0 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex to secure maximum points and announce their intentions for the new campaign.
Shabana FC also began their season on a positive note, edging Posta Rangers 1-0 on Saturday in a closely contested encounter to claim three points.
The opening weekend, which began on Saturday, October 10, featured competitive matches, with teams seeking to establish early momentum as they pursue their respective ambitions in the top-flight competition.
Mathare United and APS Bomet played out a goalless draw, with neither side managing to find the breakthrough despite their efforts.
Sunday’s fixtures produced more goals, with 3K and Mara Sugar sharing the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Migori Youth and Kenya Police also settled for a 1-1 stalemate after both sides found the net.
Nairobi United and KCB completed the weekend’s drawn matches with an entertaining 2-2 encounter, as neither team managed to secure a decisive advantage.
Tusker’s victory over Ulinzi stood out among the opening results, with the Brewers demonstrating their ability to convert opportunities into goals while keeping a clean sheet.
The result gives Tusker an encouraging start as they seek to maintain their competitive edge in the new season, while Ulinzi will look to recover in their upcoming fixtures. Shabana’s narrow victory over Posta Rangers similarly provided an early boost, with the club collecting valuable points in a match where the margins between the two sides were small.
The opening results highlighted the competitiveness expected throughout the campaign, with three matches ending in draws and two teams securing victories.
The new season follows Kariobangi Sharks’ relegation after a two-legged playoff battle, marking a significant change ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. Their departure leaves the remaining clubs focused on securing strong league positions and achieving their season targets.
Although the opening fixtures offer only an initial indication of each team’s form, they provide an early assessment of preparations, attacking effectiveness and defensive organisation.
Teams that drew their opening matches will be keen to turn promising performances into victories, while those that lost will seek to address weaknesses before the next round.
Attention now shifts to the upcoming fixtures, with Tusker and Shabana hoping to build on their winning starts as the league gathers momentum.
For supporters, the opening weekend has already generated talking points, particularly Tusker’s convincing victory and the closely fought encounters elsewhere.
As the season progresses, consistency and the ability to collect points in difficult matches will be crucial in determining which teams emerge as serious contenders.
by John Brighton
