2018 Kenyan Premier League
# 2018 Kenyan Premier League

The 2018 Kenyan Premier League (known as the SportPesa Premier League for sponsorship reasons) is the 15th season of the Kenyan Premier League since it began in 2003, and the 55th season of top-division football in Kenya since 1963. It began on 3 February and is scheduled to end on 7 October. Gor Mahia are the defending champions.

## Changes from last season

### Relegated from Premier League

* Muhoroni Youth
* Western Stima

### Promoted from National Super League

* Vihiga United
* Wazito

## Teams

Seven of the participating teams are based in the capital, Nairobi, while Bandari is the only team based at the Coast.

### Stadia and locations

| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
| - | - | - | - |
| A.F.C. Leopards | Nairobi | Nyayo National Stadium | 30,000 |
| Bandari | Mombasa | Mombasa Municipal Stadium | 10,000 |
| Chemelil Sugar | Chemelil | Chemelil Sports Complex | 5,000 |
| Gor Mahia | Nairobi | Nairobi City Stadium | 15,000 |
| Kakamega Homeboyz | Kakamega | Bukhungu Stadium | 10,000 |
| Kariobangi Sharks | Nairobi | Nairobi City Stadium | 15,000 |
| Mathare United | Nairobi | Kasarani Stadium | 60,000 |
| Nakumatt | Nairobi | Nyayo National Stadium | 30,000 |
| Nzoia Sugar | Mumias | Mumias Sports Complex | 10,000 |
| Posta Rangers | Eldoret | Kipchoge Keino Stadium | 10,000 |
| Sofapaka | Nairobi | Nyayo National Stadium | 30,000 |
| Sony Sugar | Awendo | Awendo Green Stadium | 5,000 |
| Thika United | Thika | Thika Municipal Stadium | 5,000 |
| Tusker | Nairobi | Kasarani Stadium | 60,000 |
| Ulinzi Stars | Nakuru | Afraha Stadium | 8,200 |
| Vihiga | Vihiga | Kidundu Stadium | 5,000 |
| Wazito | Nairobi | Statehouse Primary School | 5,000 |
| Zoo Kericho | Kericho | Kericho Green Stadium | 5,000 |

## League table

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Gor Mahia | 34 | 23 | 6 | 5 | 71 | 31 | +40 | 75 | Qualification to 2018–19 CAF Champions League |
| 2 | Bandari | 34 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 40 | 20 | +20 | 62 | |
| 3 | Tusker | 34 | 16 | 8 | 10 | 47 | 35 | +12 | 56 | |
| 4 | Ulinzi Stars | 34 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 38 | 26 | +12 | 54 | |
| 5 | Sofapaka | 34 | 15 | 8 | 11 | 45 | 41 | +4 | 53 | |
| 6 | Kariobangi Sharks | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 48 | 40 | +8 | 51 | Qualification for the 2018–19 CAF Confederation Cup |
| 7 | AFC Leopards | 34 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 47 | 48 | −1 | 51 | |
| 8 | Mathare United | 34 | 11 | 15 | 8 | 47 | 45 | +2 | 48 | |
| 9 | SoNy Sugar | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 33 | 30 | +3 | 45 | |
| 10 | Kakamega Homeboyz | 34 | 12 | 8 | 14 | 35 | 44 | −9 | 44 | |
| 11 | Zoo Kericho | 34 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 42 | 48 | −6 | 42 | |
| 12 | Vihiga United | 34 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 29 | 30 | −1 | 41 | |
| 13 | Nzoia Sugar | 34 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 35 | 38 | −3 | 41 | |
| 14 | Chemelil Sugar | 34 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 24 | 28 | −4 | 39 | |
| 15 | Posta Rangers | 34 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 27 | 37 | −10 | 38 | |
| 16 | Nakumatt | 34 | 9 | 10 | 15 | 49 | 61 | −12 | 37 | Relegation play-off |
| 17 | Wazito | 34 | 8 | 7 | 19 | 31 | 53 | −22 | 31 | Relegation to National Super League |
| 18 | Thika United | 34 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 23 | 56 | −33 | 23 | Relegation to National Super League |

### Positions by round

The table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match is scheduled for matchday 13, but then postponed and played between days 16 and 17, it will be added to the standings for day 16.

* Team ╲ Round
* Gor Mahia
* Sofapaka
* Bandari
* AFC Leopards
* Ulinzi Stars
* Mathare United
* Kariobangi Sharks
* Tusker
* Kakamega Homeboyz
* Posta Rangers
* Nzoia Sugar
* Nakumatt
* SoNy Sugar
* Zoo Kericho
* Chemelil Sugar
* Vihiga United
* Thika United
* Wazito
* Leader
* Relegation to the 2018 Kenyan National Super League

## Results

| Home \ Away | AFC | GOR |
| - | - | - |
| A.F.C. Leopards | | – |
| Bandari | | |
| Chemelil Sugar | | |
| Gor Mahia | – | |
| Kakamega Homeboyz | | |
| Kariobangi Sharks | | |
| Mathare United | | |
| Nakumatt | | |
| Nzoia Sugar | | |
| Posta Rangers | | |
| Sofapaka | | |
| SoNy Sugar | | |
| Thika United | | |
| Tusker | | |
| Ulinzi Stars | | |
| Vihiga | | |
| Wazito | | |
| Zoo Kericho | | |

## Top scorers

| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Erick Kapaito | Kariobangi Sharks | 16 |
| 2 | Elvis Rupia | Nzoia Sugar | 15 |
| 2 | Jacques Tuyisenge | Gor Mahia | 15 |
| 4 | Clifford Alwanga | Mathare United | 13 |
| 4 | Nicholas Kipkirui | Zoo | 13 |
| 4 | Cliff Nyakeya | Mathare United | 13 |
| 4 | Thimoty Otieno | Tusker | 13 |
| 8 | Wyvonne Isuza | Leopards | 12 |
| 8 | Mike Madoya | Zoo | 12 |
| 8 | Ezekiel Odera | Leopards | 12 |

### Hat-tricks

| Player | For | Against | Score | Date |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Meddie Kagere | Gor Mahia | Mount Kenya Utd | 4-0 | 3 February 2018 |
| Elvis Rupia | Nzoia Sugar | Kakamega | 3-1 | 3 March 2018 |
| Erick Kapaito | Kariobangi Sharks | Wazito | 1-4 | 4 March 2018 |
| Philip Wanjala | Chemelil | Mount Kenya Utd | 1-4 | 11 March 2018 |
| Erick Kapaito | Kariobangi Sharks | Mount Kenya Utd | 2-5 | 15 September 2018 |
