Gusii Stadium, Kisii – April 6, 2025
Shabana FC continued their rich vein of form in the FKF Premier League with a commanding 3-1 win over visiting Bandari FC in an electrifying clash at the Gusii Stadium, extending their unbeaten run to six matches.
The home side, roared on by a passionate crowd, came out firing and almost took the lead in the 6th minute when teenage sensation Austin Odongo narrowly missed the target after a clever build-up. The early pressure, however, paid off in the 23rd minute.
Odongo, a constant threat in attack, broke the deadlock with a superb finish from close range. The goal was beautifully crafted by none other than Darius Msagha Mnyambo, a long-serving Bandari FC stalwart who is now donning Shabana colors. Mnyambo delivered a teasing cross from the left flank, and Odongo met it first time to send the home fans into a frenzy.
Bandari responded swiftly and came close to leveling in the 26th minute when Geoffrey Ojunga’s shot from close range was brilliantly saved by Shabana goalkeeper Maxwell Mulili, who was alert throughout the encounter.
Just two minutes later, the visitors were dealt a blow as defender Dennis Ng’ang’a limped off injured and was replaced by Swaleh Pamba in the 28th minute.
Despite five added minutes, the score remained 1-0 at halftime, with Shabana clearly the more dominant side in the opening 45 minutes.
The hosts resumed the second half with a tactical change, bringing on Kevin Omundi for Kenya U20 international Ezekiah Omuri.
Barely two minutes into the second half, in the 47th minute, Shabana doubled their lead. A dangerous free-kick by Brian Michira Migiro was nodded home by Mark Okola, who rose highest to beat the Bandari defense and give the home side a cushion.
Bandari tried to claw their way back into the game and were rewarded in the 68th minute when new signing Ali Halafu pulled one back. The forward rose above his marker to head in a fine delivery from Joseph Otieno Onyango, giving the coastal side a glimmer of hope.
In the 78th minute, Shabana made another key substitution, introducing mid-season returnee Nehemiah Onchiri in place of goal scorer Austin Odongo. Onchiri, who recently rejoined the club after a stint with Samwest Black Boots, proved to be the final dagger in Bandari’s hopes.
In the 87th minute, he capitalized on a pitch mishap to score Shabana’s third. A routine back pass by Bandari’s Swaleh Pamba slowed down unexpectedly due to a waterlogged section of the pitch, a result of poor drainage. Onchiri was quickest to react, intercepting the ball and slotting it past the helpless Bandari keeper to seal the win.
The victory sees Shabana FC leap to 4th place on the FKF Premier League standings, now just nine points adrift of table-toppers Police FC. Bandari, meanwhile, drop to 8th after the disappointing away loss.
With their current momentum and a growing belief in the squad, Shabana FC are beginning to emerge as serious contenders in this season’s campaign.
