Shabana FC’s title ambitions took a blow as they failed to secure a crucial win against a struggling Mathare United in their latest Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) fixture. The goalless draw at Gusii Stadium on Sunday evening saw Shabana drop to eighth place in the league standings, missing a golden opportunity to climb higher.
The Shabana FC failed to capitalize on their home advantage, playing to a 0-0 draw against Mathare United, a team that is fighting to avoid relegation. Despite showing glimpses of brilliance, Shabana could not break through Mathare’s solid defense, frustrating the thousands of fans who had packed Gusii Stadium to support their team.
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The result meant that Mathare United, despite their struggles, managed to claim a crucial point in their relegation battle, leapfrogging Posta Rangers and FC Talanta to reclaim 14th place in the FKFPL standings. Meanwhile, Shabana FC, who had been in seventh place before the match, dropped to eighth, collecting 29 points so far this season.
Shabana FC started the game brightly, creating several goal-scoring opportunities in the first half. In the 16th minute, Daglas Mokaya linked up beautifully with Dennis Okoth, but Okoth was too slow to react, allowing Mathare’s defenders to clear the ball to safety.
Just two minutes later, Okoth had another chance, this time unleashing a powerful shot, but Mathare’s defense stood firm, blocking his attempt before it could trouble goalkeeper Michael Wanyika. Despite their dominance in the first half, Shabana lacked the finishing touch, heading into halftime with nothing to show for their attacking efforts.
A Second-Half Surge That Led to Nothing
Determined to break the deadlock, Shabana came back in the second half with renewed energy, looking to deliver a win for their passionate supporters. Their coach, Peter Okidi, made tactical substitutions in the 51st minute, bringing in Brian Marvin and Kevin Omundi to add more firepower to the attack.
However, Mathare United stood firm, defending resolutely and frustrating Shabana’s attacking movements. Despite the home side’s pressing, Mathare’s goalkeeper, Michael Wanyika, remained solid, making crucial saves to keep his team in the game.
As the match entered its final stages, Okidi made further tactical changes in the 73rd minute, introducing Austine Odongo and Derrick Oketch for Okoth and recent signing Keith Imbali.
The changes gave Shabana a slight edge, and in the 81st minute, Odongo nearly grabbed a late winner when he received a pass from Omundi inside the danger area and fired a shot towards goal, only for Wanyika to produce a stunning save.
While Shabana FC failed to secure maximum points, Mathare United walked away with a valuable draw, boosting their survival hopes. The Nairobi-based club increased their points tally to 22 and climbed back to 14th place in the FKFPL standings.
With every point crucial in their fight against relegation, Mathare’s performance showcased their resilience and determination to remain in Kenya’s top-flight league.
With 29 points, Shabana still has time to turn things around and climb back up the FKFPL table. However, they must improve their finishing if they want to compete for a higher league position. Their next fixture presents another opportunity to get back to winning ways, and coach Okidi will need to address their goal-scoring struggles in training.
The FKFPL is entering its crucial stages, and with each game carrying more weight, Shabana FC must find a way to convert their promising play into tangible results. Their attacking players need to step up and take their chances, while their defense must remain solid to avoid unnecessary dropped points.
