The long-awaited Football Kenya Federation Premier league campaign finally kicked off over the weekend, and it did so with flexes and upsets in equal measures.A total of seven matches were played, three on Saturday and four on Sunday, with respective matches involving Mathare United and Vihiga Bullets being shelved as per the order issued by the Sports Dispute Tribunal until a petition filed by APS Bomet contesting relegation and promotion is heard and determined.The first round of matches was characterized by goals, with every game played the recording at least one goal. The round averaged at least two goals per match, with the match pitting Gor Mahia and Nzoia Sugar and that between Kenya Police and KCB being the only ones to see only one goal scored.FKFPL MD 1 in a nutshellMatches played – 7 (W6, D1)Goals scored – 16Penalties awarded – 3Penalties scored – 2 ( AFC Leopards, Tusker)1 penalty missed – Kariobangi SharksLeading scorers – (Ojo Fasanmi -2, Shariff Musa-2)AFC Leopards lead the log, Ulinzi trail#FKFPL— Murimi Njiru (@muriminjirujnr) November 21, 2022 A total of 16 goals were scored, with only two of those coming from the spot and it could have been 17 had Kariobangi Sharks’ new forward Paul Odhiambo scored from the spot against FC Talanta, but he was denied by Kevin Otieno.AFC Leopards might have been the talk of the town after it occurred that the registration of 10 of their players was rejected, but they stepped up when it mattered and continued their recent dominance over Ulinzi Stars on the road courtesy of two goals in either half, beating them face down at their new complex to pick vital three points and a perfect start.Patrick Aussems pulled yet another masterclass despite having a depleted squad and showed why he is among the best tacticians in the league. However, their character will be put to the test time and again in the coming days if the situation at the Den does not sway in their favor.Ingwe thrash hapless Ulinzi Stars at the ComplexRecord Kenyan champions Gor Mahia finally recorded a win over Nzoia Sugar after more than two years without doing so, their last one having come in February 2020.This was a match that showed the importance of having well-equipped ambulances following a clash of heads between K’Ogalo’s Ernest Wendo and Nzoia’s Stephen Otieno with 10 minutes to play in the second half which left the latter requiring medical attention after being treated on the pitch.##NAJAVA_MECA_6824735##Tusker FC broke their opening day jinx, beating Kakamega Homeboyz at Bukhungu to send a strong message that they are in this to win it, perhaps take their Premier League titles tally to 13.Once again, officiating was on the spotlight with Nzoia’s Salim Babu and Ulinzi’s Benard Mwalala pointing fingers at the respective match officials in the respective matches.Babu faulted referee Felix Ekai for showing bias towards Gor Mahia while Mwalala felt Josephine Wanjiku had dished out a very soft penalty to AFC Leopards.The Discipline Forces brothers, Ulinzi and Police, were off to a bad start and they will need to do better in the coming matches given the support they enjoy as opposed to others who are struggling to stay afloat.Omala’s header hands Gor win over Nzoia at NyayoBidco United seem like they will not be your ordinary defensive team. Coach Anthony Akhulia employed an attacking-minded approach in the first half and before Nairobi City Stars knew what had hit them it was too late and Nicholas Muyoti had to make a double change in the first half. Normally, one would have expected Bidco to employ a defensive approach but Akhulia had a different trick up his sleeves. Whether he maintains the same approach throughout the season remains to be seen.Bandari showed mettle to win it late and it was none other than Felix Oluoch who netted on his debut to win maximum points for the Dockers. He was one of the two players to score while making their debuts for their new sides this season.Shariff Musa, take a bow speed merchant. Two goals for a Premier League debutant on an opening day is something, isn’t it?More will probably unfold in the coming weeks but for now, ‘show’ Ingwe fans the table!
