Four matches that gave Gor Mahia the KPL title

Ever since Sofapaka won the SportPesa Premier League trophy in 2009, there has never been a season with a finish that took the local football scene by surprise and gave us another fairytale champions.

Uinzi Stars are the only side to interrupt Gor Mahia and Tusker's dominance ever since with their triumph in 2010.

Sofapaka, who had spent much of last season battling the chop, bounced back brilliantly in 2017 although they failed in keeping pace with eventual champions Gor Mahia.

Nation Sport looks at the five matches that helped K’Ogalo win a record 16th title:

Ulinzi Stars 0-1 Gor Mahia (October 21)

Even before this title decider, the SportPesa Premier League title seemed to be a fait accompli for Gor. If there is one thing that Dylan Kerr’s charges have proved to be good at, is dealing with the pressure of such high stakes matches and standing up to be counted when it matters.

All they needed from the match was a draw, and there was no way they would allow for any mishaps when last weekend’s shock loss to Mathare United offered a perfect example of what could happen if they became complacent.

Gor Mahia 3-1 Kariobangi Sharks (October 17)

Had they lost this match, as they did against Mathare United just a three days earlier, they would have delayed the title decision, thereby subjecting themselves to yet another week of uncertainty.

The big win, especially coming after their embarrassing defeat to Mathare, set the stage for Saturday’s title decider which Gor ultimately won.

Gor 2-1 Sofapaka (September 27)

For the better part of the season, Sofapaka have been K’Ogalo’s closest rivals alongside Ulinzi and to a lesser extent, Posta Rangers. Batoto ba Mungu managed to beat Gor 2-0 in the first leg, but the new champions read this as an advance warning and therefore came back prepared in the second leg.

Their 2-1 win last month slowed down Sofapaka’s momentum significantly, and confined them to second place as K’Ogalo continued to widen their lead.

Gor 2-0 Tusker (September 23)

If you go, go big. With the defending champions recovering from a bad patch that had seen them get only one win in six league matches, the game against Gor Mahia had offered a perfect chance for Tusker to extend their winning streak to four matches - having beaten Zoo Kericho, Mathare United and Bandari in their last three assignments. But K'Ogalo proved their mettle with a 2-0 win at the Kericho Green Stadium - the venue they won the league at on Saturday - to all but end Tusker's dreams of defending the crown. After this match, coach George Nsimbe, now suspended by the club, conceded defeat and in a fit of rage declared that this has been the worst season of his career.