Gor Mahia vs Shabana clash highlights FKF Round 29 fixtures as Dandora Stadium hosts two double headers

Gor Mahia vs. Shabana will be the highlight of the 2023/24 FKF Round 29 fixtures as the league leaders host the relegation-threatened Kisii-based side at the Mamboleo Stadium in Kisumu this afternoon from 3PM EAT.

Gor Mahia and Shabana, together with the AFC Leopards, command the largest fan base in the FKF Premier League, so it is not surprising that the match between the two clubs has elicited great excitement in Kisumu. The lakeside city is the heart of the Gor Mahia fan base, and its proximity to Kisii County makes it easy for Shabana FC fans to travel there to support their team.

With Gor Mahia chasing a record 21st league title and Shabana hoping to survive relegation in their first season in the top flight after a 17-year hiatus, the contrasting fortunes of the two sides mean that the stakes will be high on Saturday.

Gor Mahia leads the 18-team league with 60 points, and they enjoy a nine-point cushion over second-placed Kenya Police FC. On the other hand, Shabana, ranked 15th with 28 points, is in a fierce relegation survival battle with Sofapaka (16th with 28 points) and Muhoroni Youth (17th with 26 points).

There’s still more work to be done as Gor Mahia coach @johnnymckinstry says three more wins will be good to bring it home #FootballKE #LigiTalk pic.twitter.com/Pr9soSggiG

— Eric Njiru (@EricNjiiru) May 11, 2024

Whichever way the match swings, the consequences will be far-reaching in terms of both teams' season targets.

Round 29 will also see Dandora Stadium scramble for a spot in the limelight as the go-to venue for Nairobi-based clubs following the closure of Kasarani and Nyayo for renovations. Since its completion, Dandora Stadium has emerged as the undisputed home of FKF PL action in Nairobi.

This weekend, the venue will host four league matches—two on Saturday and another two on Sunday.

On Saturday, Bidco United will host Kakamega Homeboyz in a 12 p.m. kick-off. Expect a closely contested game as both teams have 40 points, with the away side ranked higher in 8th place due to a better goal difference.

The Kariobangi Sharks will later host Sofapaka at the same venue for a 3 p.m. kick-off. Despite winning their last two matches against Kariobangi Sharks, Saturday’s game has probably come at the worst time for Sofapaka. Batoto ba Mungu are winless in their eight league games, while their opponents are on an eight-match unbeaten run in the league with five victories over that stretch. Sofapaka's risk of falling deeper into the relegation zone will help their hopes of appearing in next season's FKF PL if they rediscover their winning touch against the Kariobangi Sharks, who are 10th with 37 points.

Saturday’s matches will also see league action at the Mombasa Sports Club, Sudi Stadium in Bungoma, and Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.

A last-minute change to the venue of their home match against Posta Rangers means that Bandari will continue to host its home matches at the Mombasa Sports Club. Initially, the Kwale Showground in Diani was the scheduled venue for the match. Bandari has been hosting its home matches at the Mombasa Sports Club since April, following the closure of the primary homeground, Mbaraki Sports Club, for renovations in March.

The Dockers have drawn the two league games they've hosted at the Mombasa Sports Club. Their poor home form has been compounded by the club's two road losses over the same period, and they will be hoping to return to winning ways against a Posta Rangers team that is bouncing after recording their first win in six league matches when they defeated Talanta 1-0 in Round 28. Bandari are 5th with 45 points, while Posta Rangers are 6th with 42 points.

The Ulinzi Sports Complex will host the Ulinzi Stars’ home match against Muhoroni Youth. If the Soldiers, currently ranked 13th with 31 points, fail to secure maximum points against Muhoroni Youth, they could find themselves in the relegation survival battle.

On Sunday, there will be a double header at the Dandora Stadium, and Kenya Police will host the Nairobi City Stars at the Police Sacco Stadium.

The double header between Tusker and Murang'a Seal will be curtain-raised at Dandora Stadium, with the two teams scheduled to play at 12 p.m. Tusker, who needed a late goal to defeat Nzoia Sugar 1-0 in Round 28, will be hoping for revenge against Murang’a Seal, who defeated them 2-1 in the first leg. Tusker is third with 49 points, while Murang’a Seal is 11th with 35 points.

In the 3 p.m. kick-off at the same venue, Talanta will host the AFC Leopards, who hope to get their first ever league victory against Ingwe. This will be the sixth league meeting between the two clubs, with the AFC Leopards having the upper hand on the head-to-head record with two victories and three draws. With two points separating them from Sofapaka and Shabana, Talanta, who are 14th with 28 points, will be desperate for a win that will help them pull further away from the relegation zone. Even with the league already in their grasp, the Leopards will still be keen to avoid an upset. The Leopards are 7th with 41 points.

At the Police Sacco Stadium, Kenya Police will look to remain unbeaten since the start of the year by collecting maximum points against the Nairobi City Stars, who are fourth with 46 points. Victory will help the law enforcers, who are second with 51 points, maintain pressure over run-away league leaders Gor Mahia, who are ahead of them with nine points. Nairobi City Stars are winless in their last four league matches against Kenya Police and will be hoping to end that run with a victory against the law enforcers on Sunday.