By Anderson Ojwang
Last Sunday, Kenyans had dreamt and hoped that AFC Leopards would rise to the occasion and throw the country into a week of dramatic football drama.
Mara Sugar had in the week laced the country’s football with drama over the venue for their fixture with Gor Mahia, first choosing Awendo Grounds, then Wanguru Stadium in Mwea, and before that, FKF settled on Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay.
But Mara Sugar moved and obtained a tribunal court order that halted the match and fixed a date for hearing.
Gor Mahia players opted to remain in Homa Bay, the county of Gor Kogalo, the legend from which the team drew its name.
From the venue drama, eyes turned to AFC Leopards’ game against the resurgent AP Bomet, whose patron is the Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security, Kipchumba Murkomen.
Murkomen not only promised to award the team for every match won but has also been taking time off from his busy schedule to watch the boys play.
And now they have gone 10 games on a winning streak, and that is why when they met Ingwe on Sunday, they brewed thick tea which drowned the Leopards into misery.
Murkomen wrote: “What an outstanding performance from A.P.S. BOMET FC with yet another win against AFC Leopards. Congratulations, lads. We climb 3 points up. As Patron, I couldn’t be prouder of the players, the management and most importantly, our loyal fans for the support throughout the journey. Let’s now finish big. Kama kawaida, nitacheza kama mimi. A streak of 10 games unbeaten is massive. As a Patron, I’m incredibly proud of you all. As the season enters the home stretch, we will give the team all the support they need to finish strong and avoid relegation.”
Immediate former chairman Dr Dan Shikanda wrote: “Today in Kericho, AFC Leopards walk into a battle that carries far more than three points. Standing in their way is APS Bomet, a side motivated by a Ksh 50,000 win bonus per player. Yet beyond the whistles and tackles lies a question that could become football’s own social experiment.”
Shikanda said the day was a special one for AFC to put pressure on Gor Mahia and create additional tension in the title race.
“What truly drives a footballer — the token on the table, or the glory written in history? For APS Bomet, there is no pressure; nothing hangs over their shoulders in terms of relegation or the title. They step onto the pitch with freedom, with no burden of football expectation. But for AFC Leopards, this is war. This is not merely another fixture; this is a defining moment. Ninety minutes that could determine the entire meaning of AFC’s season. Ninety minutes standing between hope and heartbreak. A must-win affair where every pass, every tackle, every shot could shape destiny,” he wrote.
Shikanda said AFC’s victory was not only meant to add three points but to usher Kenyan football into a week of unbearable tension — a week of calculations, prayers, sleepless nights, and endless permutations.
“A week where the most used word across homes, streets, social media and football discussions will become: ‘If…’, ‘If AFC had not dropped points there…’, ‘If Gor slips…’, ‘If only…’ etc., etc. Whether you are an AFC or Gor Mahia diehard, the nation could be thrown into one of the most dramatic football weeks in recent memory, more dramatic than Arsenal’s EPL win after 22 years. I pray for an AFC victory, to gift Kenya football the ‘If-Week’, because the ‘if-week’ will force every supporter to revisit every painful draw, every missed opportunity, every point that escaped during this campaign. As APS Bomet steps onto the field chasing a Ksh 50,000 bonus and bragging rights, AFC Leopards step onto the battlefield with something far bigger at stake – a date with destiny. The difference is immense today. One side fights for an incentive. The other side fights for pride, for history, for silverware, and for millions of restless hearts that still believe,” he wrote.
But if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Shikanda was left with more tears than smiles as celebrations broke out across the country with Kogalo winning the league without kicking the ball.
Gor Mahia posted: “Live from CBD…. we celebrate even without a match to play. That’s what title number 22 means to us. To Team Kwaya and all other fans, we salute you. Sunday we make it big at Nyayo Stadium. Hii ni warm-up tu, Sunday will be fire.”
Gor Mahia Patron Eliud Owalo wrote: “Congratulations to Gor Mahia for winning the 22nd Kenya Premier League trophy.”
AFC Leopards wrote: “Defeat in Kericho” and the wall went mute, with the fans licking the wounds of another unsuccessful challenge and trophy drought.
For Gor Mahia, it is trophy number 22. Another time to celebrate, an honour and achievement.
