Football is by far the most popular sport in most countries in Africa, and Kenya is certainly one of them. Football is played, and supported, from the grassroots level in schools and small clubs, in the domestic league (the Kenyan Premier League, or KPL), and at the international level.
Although the KPL is popular, there is also much interest in the European leagues such as Serie A, Bundesliga, English Premier League, and Spain’s La Liga – fans and bettors alike regularly tune in for games. While Kenya hasn’t enjoyed as much international success as other African nations, it has many strong players at the domestic level. We’re going to look at the KPL and some of the top players playing today.
The KPL
Founded in 1963 as the Kenya National Football League, the KPL has its roots in decentralised football, played in the wake of colonization by the British. Kenya fields 18 teams in its one division, the most popular being rivals A.F.C. Leopards and Gor Mahia.
Although the league is widely followed in the country, player wages are noticeably lower than in other African countries – many of the most talented prospects go to play overseas.
Tusker is the current champion, their 12th league title, making them the third most successful team in the country. The top spot falls to Gor Mahia, who have taken the trophy home 19 times.
Current season
Heading into the closing weeks of the season, Tusker is fighting to defend its title. They currently sit at the top of the table, but on goal difference alone – Kakamega Homeboyz sits equally on 57 points. So if it comes down to goal difference at the end, whoever is amongst the KPL top scorers in2022 could be the deciding factor.
Erik Kapaito
A shining star of the KPL, Kapaito plays for Kariobangi Sharks in Nairobi. Before signing for the club he played at a provincial level for a couple of years, where he came to the attention of scouts from the KPL.
In 2018 Kapaito’s goal tally exceeded everyone else’s – he netted sixteen to take home the Golden Boot and was also awarded the Most Valuable Player for the season.
Kapaito’s form continued, and this year he put away 24 goals, winning both awards again. He’s part of the Kenyan national side, and has piqued the interest of overseas clubs.
Enosh Ochieng
Currently playing for Ulinzi Stars, Ochieng took a while to find his feet in the KPL with Muhoroni Youth FC, but now is a regular goal scorer. 2014 was a turning point, as he netted 12 goals over the course of the season for Muhoroni, which caught the attention of Ulinzi Stars, and prompted a move over there for the next season. He gradually became more prolific, peaking in the 2018/19 season, where he became the KPL’s top scorer, with 20 goals to his name. Ochieng is now a capped international player but has yet to score for Kenya.
Allan Wanga
Recently retired Wanga joined Tusker FC in 2007, and in his debut season in the KPL, finished the year with a champion’s medal. As well as that, he scored 21 goals in the competition, taking home the golden boot as the highest scorer that season.
Spells followed in Angola (Petro Atlético where he scored 19 goals in 31 appearances), Azerbaijan (FC Baku, a tally of 10 goals), and Vietnam (Hoàng Anh Gia Lai, 14 goals in 22 games), before he made his way back to Kenya. Back in the KPL with AFC Leopards, he continued his run of form, becoming the club’s top goal scorer.
The twilight of his career took him to Sudan and Tanzania, before he returned for the final time, first to old club Tusker, and finally to Kakamega Homeboyz.
Jesse Were
Although he currently plays his football in Zambia, an honourable mention goes to Jesse Were. After a tough upbringing blighted by poverty and violence, Jesse Were found his way out through football. He began his KPL career at Mathare United, before being snapped up by Tusker in 2013, where he netted 46 times in 86 appearances.
Since 2016 he’s played for ZESCO United F.C. in the Zambian Super League, where he’s scored prolifically – 105 goals in 120 performances.
The KPL is an exciting league that is closely contested each year. Kenya has produced many prolific goal scorers, lighting up the domestic scene with plenty of goals and thrilling all those that are th to witness them.
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