NAIROBI, Kenya, February 6 – Champions Gor Mahia will open their title defence against Mathare United at Nairobi City Stadium as the 2015 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) kicks-off on the weekend of February 21.
Last season’s runners up Sofapaka will begin their campaign by hosting Ushuru FC at their Machakos County Stadium February 22.
The GOtv Shield champions will then take on Muhoroni Youth, Mathare United and the first team that will be promoted to the top flight league in that order.
Tusker FC will have Thika United to contend with in their opening match, followed by an exciting looking fixture against Ulinzi Stars.
AFC Leopards face a tricky away match to Chemelil Sugar on opening day, followed by a relatively easy tie against one of the newly promoted sides.
Muhoroni Youth and Bandari FC have been handed the pleasure of baptizing the newly promoted sides on February 22 at venues to be announced later.
K’Ogalo willl be allowed time off after their opening fixture to honour their return leg of the CAF Champions League the following weekend.
Frank Nuttall’s side will then travel to the Awendo’s Green Stadium where they will face their first real test against bitter rivals Sony Sugar in a midweek clash slated for March 4.
The record 14-time champions will thereafter face a formidable looking Bandari in their third match before taking part in the ever exciting ‘Mashemeji Derby’ – easily the biggest fixture of the league – against arch rivals AFC Leopards March 18.
The first leg is scheduled to end June 6 with cracking matches pitting AFC Leopards against Sofapaka, and Gor versus title rivals Tusker.
Gor retained the Premier League after collecting 60 points, three ahead of runners up Sofapaka.
KPL opening weekend fixtures. (All kick-off 3 pm).
February 21: Chemelil Sugar vs AFC Leopards (Chemelil), Ulinzi Stars vs Sony Sugar (Afraha), KCB vs Western Stima (City), Thika United vs Tusker (Thika).
February 22: Team B vs Muhoroni Youth (TBA), Team A vs Bandari (TBA), Sofapaka vs Ushuru (Machakos), Gor Mahia vs Mathare United (City).
Before the 16 team league gets underway, Gor will battle it out with GOtv Shield Champions Sofapaka on Wednesday next week in the DSTV Super Cup.