NAIROBI, Kenya, January 11 – The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) has announced its competition, the Top-Eight, will now be staged on weekends as opposed to its midweek slot.
The tournament which involves the first eight finishers in the league past, will kick-off on April 5, while the final has been set for June 14.
Tusker FC are the current champions after edging out youthful Thika United 5-3 on post match penalties.
KPL has for the first time included the domestic knock-out competition, GOtv Shield in its fixtures with specific dates indicated.
The Football Kenya Federation organised tournament, begins on April 26 and will also be played on the weekends that will see no league match played.
AFC Leopards beat perennial rivals Gor Mahia by a solitary goal to be crowned the Shield champions.
KPL governing council will meet later this month and part of the agenda will be to review the prize money for the league winners.
Last year, champions Gor Mahia pocketed Sh4 m (USD 46, 146.80).
This season’s league kicks-off with six matches on the card at different venues across the country on the weekend of February 15.
Western Stima opens the league with a tie against Mathare United at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega, while debutants Top Fry All Stars travels to Green Stadium in Awendo to face Sony Sugar.
Muhoroni Youth welcomes 2009 champions Sofapaka as Ulinzi Stars entertains Chemelil Sugar at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.
2010, 2011 champions Tusker FC, begin their quest to reclaim the title with a tough away encounter to Thika United at Thika Municipal Stadium on February 16.
Newcomers Kenya Revenue Authority, faces a challenging away fixture against Bandari in Mombasa.
Defending champions Gor and runners-up AFC Leopards, who will be on continental engagement during KPL’s opening weekend, join the new season three days later.
K’Ogalo host City Stars who have been an uphill climb to the champions in the past two seasons, at Nairobi’s City Stadium while AFC Leopards opens their campaign against KCB at Nyayo National Stadium in an entertaining match.
The first leg ends on June 8.