Kenya’s 5 most successful football clubs

By Peter Ochieng

Kenya’s 5 most successful football clubs Kenya is gearing to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside neighbors Tanzania and Uganda.

The soccer bonanza will come to East Africa for the first time in history, with fans expected to witness high ranking footballers up close; with each blade of grass, each goal, each tackle and each save evoking memories of legendary players with competitive spirits.

Homegrown players, representing the likes of Simba and Yanga in Tanzania, URA and SC Villa in Uganda and Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards are highly likely to form the bulk of the national teams that will not only participate, but compete in the tournament.

That is why today, we feature Kenya’s 5 most successful clubs as the clock ticks towards AFCON 2027.

1. Gor Mahia

Gor Mahia FC is the most successful football club in the Country. Founded in 1968, K’ogallo has won a record 21 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) titles.

It is the only Kenyan team to win an African continental title, having clinched the African Cup Winners' Cup in 1987, with the likes of the late Austine Oduor, John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla and Peter Dawo in the team.

The club has won 3 CECAFA club championships, 6 Kenya Super Cups, and 2 KPL top 8 cups and 11 FKF Cups, an overhaul of over 40 titles in history.

2. AFC Leopards

Some pundits hold the opinion that there would never be Gor Mahia with AFC Leopards and Vice versa. The two teams have been fierce rivals for as long as one can remember, with the rivalry reaching fever-pitch in the 80s and 90s.

Ingwe, as AFC Leopards are known in football circles, was established in 1964. The team has won 12 premier league titles, the last win coming in 1998 and 5 CECAFA club championships among numerous collections.

3. Tusker FC

Days ago, AFC Leopards thrashed Tusker FC 4-1 in a Premier League match, turning tables on one of its major footballing rivals.

Tusker FC, initially known as Kenya Breweries, boasts a collection of 13 premier league titles, claiming the last title in 2012.

The team has produced some of Kenya’s best strikers, including national football team, Harambee Stars captain Michael Ogada Olunga, Jesse Jackson Were and the now retired Allan Wanga.

4. Ulinzi Stars

This is a military owned club, which means it is managed with military precision. The team won three consecutive premier league titles between 2003 and 2005, becoming the only club to achieve that feat after Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards. Ulinzi’s last and fourth title came in 2010 under the tutelage of Benjamin Nyangweso.

5. Sofapaka FC

Sofapaka FC was initiated in 2004. Under President Elly Kalekwa, the team, with a mixture of Kenyan and Congolese players rose through the ranks before getting promotion to the top tier league in 2009.

The team etched its name in Kenya’s football history books by winning the Premier League title in its maiden season.