In the central match of Round 26 of the 2026 Kazakh Premier League, Astana lost 0:1 away to Ordabasy. Two days before the game, the capital club's future sponsor repaid the debt owed to the players. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

The collective appeal from Astana's first-team players, threatening to stop playing in the championship until the debts were fully paid, had an effect. The salary arrears were settled, and the team travelled to Shymkent in good spirits.

Ordabasy, who unexpectedly lost to Okzhetpes in Round 25, surrendered the lead in the title race. Now, in addition to their own results, they depend on Kairat's performances.

By the will of the calendar, Astana is testing title contenders one by one. In Shymkent, the hosts passed the test against the current vice-champion successfully. Andrey Martin's men had plenty of goal-scoring chances. Take, for instance, Leo Natel's thunderous shot against the crossbar in the second half. The Brazilian was unmarked in the opposition penalty area on that occasion, but his aim was slightly off.

Grigory Babayan's men tried to respond to attack with attack. They also created many dangerous moments. And when the ghost of a draw appeared on the horizon, Zhasulan Amir sealed Ordabasy's victory with an accurate shot into the corner from outside the penalty area – 1:0.

The Shymkent side once again overtook Kairat in the title race, but the game of leapfrog at the top may continue tomorrow. On Sunday, the champions host Tobol.

⚽ ORDABASY (Shymkent) – ASTANA 1:0 (0:0). Goal: Amir 78

⚽ CASPIY (Aktau) – AKTOBE 1:2 (0:1). Goals: Sosa 39 (0:1), Ojo 72 (0:2), Morgado 87 (1:2). Missed penalty: Shushenachev (A, 39) goalkeeper

⚽ ELIMAI (Semey) – ZHETISU (Taldykorgan) 2:1 (2:1). Goals: Zivanovic 7 (0:1), Placca 17 (1:1), Murtazaev 21 (2:1)

⚽ ZHENIS (Astana) – KYZYLZHAR (Petropavlovsk) 3:1 (1:1). Goals: Imnadze 31 (1:0), Urosevic 35 (1:1), Imnadze 74 (2:1), Elder Santana 90+3 (3:1)

⚽ KAISAR (Kyzylorda) – ATYRAU will finish later

Aktobe, who have not lost their chances for medals, won in Aktau. In the 39th minute, Caspiy's goalkeeper Dinmukhamed Zhomart parried Artur Shushenachev's spot-kick. However, after a series of deflections, Nigerien forward Daniel Sosa opened the scoring. English midfielder of Aktobe Sheyi Ojo doubled the score in the second half. Portuguese player Bernardo Morgado's goal sweetened Caspiy's bitter pill of defeat.

With the same score 2:1, Elimai won in Semey against Zhetisu. Andrey Karpovich's team was already losing 0:1 in the 7th minute of the home match. Serbian Marko Zivanovic scored. But before the break, Togolese Elosh Placca and Roman Murtazaev each scored a goal to turn the game around.

Round 26 of the 2026 Kazakh Premier League will conclude tomorrow with the matches Kairat – Tobol, Irtysh – Okzhetpes, and Ulytau – Altai.