Football

FKFPL: Shabana defeat AFC Leopards in seven-goal thriller as Talanta sinks Muhoroni Youth

Shabana FC warming up before the game (C) Courtesy / Shabana FC

By Michael Kirwa | Saturday, June 15, 2024

Shabana's win over AFC Leopards in Homabay was the highlight of the day

The relegation survival battle featuring the beleaguered quartet of Muhoroni Youth, Sofapaka, Shabana, and Talanta heated up in Round 32, with Shabana winning 4-3 at home to the AFC Leopards and Talanta securing a crucial 1-0 victory away to Muhoroni Youth.

Sofapaka, who play Gor Mahia tomorrow at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos in a 3-pm kick-off, have to defeat the league champions to restore hopes of their survival.

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At the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay, Shabana engaged in a ping-pong contest with the 12-time league champions before coming out of the seven-goal thriller with all three points.

Prince Ayieko gave the Glamour Boys the lead in the 14th minute but the AFC Leopards silenced the home crowds with two quick goals from Arthur Gitego, who struck in the 20th and 24th minutes, respectively.

Shabana, unfazed, responded in the 44th minute with a strike from Alvin Ochieng to ensure the teams went to the break tied at 2-2.

Samuel Maiko put them 3-2 up just 10 minutes after the restart. However, once again, their joy was short-lived as Musa Oundo restored parity for the AFC Leopards in the 58th minute.

Despite their resilience, Ingwe had no response when Brian Michira scored Shabana's fourth in the 79th minute, as the Glamour Boys managed to hold on for a win that took them to 15th with 32 points, bettering Sofapaka on goal difference, who are now 16th with as many points.

Shabana will play in front of their home fans for the last time in midweek, when they welcome Bidco United for their Round 33 tie. It will be yet another opportunity to make home support work in their favour, as in Round 34, they will be on the road to play Murang'a Seal in Murang'a.

The AFC Leopards' defeat left them 7th with 47 points, and after suffering elimination from the FKF Cup two weeks ago, questions now abound about the future of Czech coach Thomas Trucha at the club.

Elsewhere at the Muhoroni Stadium, the ground got more slippery for the home team as they succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Talanta, who, as a result of the victory, rose to 14th place with 34 points. Muhoroni Youth remain 17th with 28 points and have to win their remaining matches against Nzoia Sugar (away in Round 33) and Posta Rangers (at home in Round 34) to have any hope of being in the top flight next season.

Talanta, on the other hand, will play away to Gor Mahia in Round 33 before hosting Bandari in Round 34.

In the day's other matches, John Mark Makwatta inched closer to snatching the golden boot from Benson Omalla after scoring his 14th goal of the season during the Kariobangi Sharks 1-0 victory away to Bidco United. Makwatta struck from time to time in the 84th minute at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, taking the Kariobangi Sharks to sixth with 47 points. Following the loss, Bidco United remain 10th with 44 points.

In the other match played at the same venue, Tusker maintained their grip on second place with a 2-1 win over Bandari that increased their points tally to 59. Bandari, now winless in eight consecutive league games, dropped to fifth with 48 points.

Nairobi City Stars played out a 1-1 draw with Kakamega Homeboyz at the Police Sacco Stadium, a result that saw Simba Wa Nairobi rise to 4th with 49 points, while Abana Abeingo remained 9th with 45 points.

In the other match played on the same grounds, KCB drew 0-0 at home to the Posta Rangers, as both remained 11th and 8th with 41 and 47 points, respectively.

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