The Football Kenya Federation Premier League 2024-25 season rolls out this weekend with seven potentially explosive games on the cards.

Visiting Bandari FC takes on Posta Rangers in a televised early kick-off game at the Machakos Stadium on Saturday.

The fixture scheduled to start at 1.00pm will officially flag off the new season.

The highlight of the day at the same venue will undoubtedly be a clash between two former champions Tusker FC and Sofapaka FC.

Having survived relegation by a whisker last season, playing in the relegation playoff to preserve their topflight status, Sofapaka will keen to get off to a positive start to avoid another edgy campaign.

However, they will be up against a thirsty Tusker side that has gone two seasons without winning the league.

The Brewers are perennial league winners and as usual will be expected to challenge Gor Mahia, the defending champions, for the coveted crown.

To signal their intent, the coach Charles Okere’s side splashed out in the transfer window, signing up to eleven players. And while their opponent of the day prepared for the new season locally, Tusker extended their preseason to Uganda where they played three high profile friendly games against Lugazi Sugar FC, Bright Stars FC and Kitara FC.

Some notable signings expected to light up their campaign include seasoned Ugandan striker Boban Zirintusa.

In the capital Nairobi, lukewarm KCB FC have a date against unpredictable Kariobangi Sharks at the Police Sacco Stadium.

There has been little to write home about KCB build up to the new season. The Bankers finished a disappointing tenth last season, five steps backwards compared to the previous campaign, and had to part ways with coach Bernard Mwalala with former Kakamega Homeboyz FC tactician Patrick Odhiambo taking over.

Ahead of the new season, the Bankers played a series of warm up games, notably against lower division sides including MOFA FC, Zoo Kericho and APS Bomet FC. The team also gauged themselves against newly promoted Mara Sugar FC.

Against Sharks, they’ll be up against an exciting and unpredictable side that can pull surprises. The Slum Boys will begin life without their last season’s talisman Johnmark Makwata who left for greener pastures in Tanzania.

Shabana FC, who also flirted with relegation for the better part of last season before sailing to safety under the care of veteran coach Sammy “Pamzo” Omollo, face Bidco United at Thika Stadium, Thika for a chance to do it from the onset.

Both sides have also been low key in the pre-season, despite Shabana roping in Harambee Stars winger Cliff Nyakeya from AFC Leopards.

Three matches will be played on Sunday with a fixture involving promoted Mathare United and AFC Leopards at the Dandora Stadium being the highlight.

Pressure will be on Leopards to begin the season on a high and show the intention of breaking their 26-year-old league drought. The club recently held a gala dinner whereby speaker after speaker, including the chairman Dan Shikanda expressed the desire to win the league.

The sentiments were however not shared by head coach Tomas Trucha who feels that the team has not invested enough to be champions.

Mathare United spent last season in the second tier National Super League (NSL) for the first time since they were promoted to the FKF Premier League close to thirty years ago.

The Slum Boys unveiled a new look technical bench headed by coach John Kamau. Their signings reflected the team’s age-old philosophy of focusing on the youths. Whether returning to their roots is what they need to succeed this season, the jury is out.

In the other Sunday fixtures Ulinzi Stars will host Murang’a Seal FC, who are playing in their second season, while newly promoted Mara Sugar FC will be up against Kakamega Homeboyz FC in Awendo.

In total, four of the seven fixtures will be live on television giving fans a great variety.

Gor Mahia and Kenya Police FC will be representing Kenya in the CAF Interclubs. K’Ogalo hosts South Sudan side El Merriekh Bentiu on Sunday at Nyayo Stadium, and will be seeking to overturn 1-0 first leg defeat in the CAF Champions League preliminary round.

Police FC on the other hand will be on the road as they seek to get results against Ethiopian Bunna in Addis Ababa in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminaries. The first leg ended in a barren draw.

Posta Rangers v. Bandari FC – Machakos – 1PM EAT

KCB FC v. Kariobangi Sharks – Police Sacco – 3PM EAT

Tusker FC v. Sofapaka – Machakos – 4PM EAT

Bidco United v. Shabana FC – Thika – 3PM EAT

 Mathare United v. AFC Leopards  – Dandora Stadium – 3PM EAT

Mara Sugar v. Kakamega Homeboyz – Awendo – 3pM EAT

Ulinzi Stars v. Murang’a Seal – Ulinzi Sports Complex – 3PM EAT