Shabana picked up their second win of the FKF Premier League season after beating Murang’a Seal 1-0 at St. Sebastian Park on Saturday afternoon.
The win sees Shabana climb to 11th on the table showcasing their intent to rise further while the loss for Murang’a Seal sees them slip to 13th adding pressure to their campaign in the competitive 18-team league.
Shabana made two changes to their starting line-up with Mathew Tegisi and Laneck Onwonga Lameck replacing Vincent Nyabuto and Cliff Nyakeya up front.
Kenyan midfielder Victor Wanyama has hailed CF Montreal supporters for standing with him during his five-year stay as he leaves following the end of his deal.
It was Murang’a Seal who started the brighter of the two sides and in the fourth minute, midfielder All Yusuf unleashed a powerful long-range effort but it was straight down the middle and Stephen Ochieng was able to make a rather routine save in the end.
After a slow start to the match, the Glamour Boys began to start moving the ball around quickly and accurately. In the 22nd minute, a good team move resulted in Brian Michira getting a sight at goal and his shot went only narrowly wide.
Shabana came ever so close to opening the scoring in the 25th minute when James Mazembe’s delivery was headed inches wide of the top right corner by Darius Msagha.
Shortly before the half-hour mark, John Kiplangat was cut down on the edge of the area and Nicholas Omondi’s brilliant shot went over the bar.
Shabana had another shot on target in the 40th minute when Justine Omwando drove into the box and fired goalwards, but Seal’s keeper Morgan Ambuka pulled off a fantastic low save.
Neither team could break the deadlock before the half time whistle.
were almost punished by the hosts when a sloppy pass gifted the ball straight to Robert Mudenyu just on the edge of the right-hand side of the box and the Seal midfielder drilled a low effort which Ochieng did well to keep out with his legs as Shabana breathed a sigh of relief.
Kenyan midfielder Victor Wanyama has hailed CF Montreal supporters for standing with him during his five-year stay as he leaves following the end of his deal.
Soon after, Joseph Irungu fouled Christopher Raila on the edge of the area. Marivin Brian stepped up and curled a promising effort over the wall towards the top right corner but Ambuka was across comfortably to catch.
Mathew Tegesi broke the deadlock a minute after the hour mark, giving Shabana the lead with a clinical finish off an assist from Darius Msagha.
Murang’a Seal themselves threatened via Ally Yusuf, who saw his shot-cross from a tight angle tipped away from the danger zone by Shabana goalkeeper Stephen Ochieng, while Harun Mwale had an ambitious effort fly off target as the hosts pushed for an equalizer.
Seal were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of one of their defenders with four minutes remaining in the match.
The teams will return to FKF Premier League action on Wednesday, with Shabana hosting AFC Leopards on November 27 and Murang’a Seal visiting Kenya Police on the same afternoon.
Odemba became just the second woman to take charge of an FKF Premier League side on Friday.
Muranga Seal starting XI: Morgan Ambuka, Joseph Irungu, David Wafula, John Kiplangat, Elly Saenyi, Nicholas Omondi, Robert Mudenyu, Humphrey Obina, Ally Yusuf, Harun Mwale, Dennis Munyovi
Dennis Odhiambo, Wilson Kamau, Rajab Omar, Joel Kihara, Michael Owen, Lucas Maina, Innocent Lihasi, Victor Haki, Brian Wafula.
Shabana FC starting XI: Stephen Ochieng, Marvin Brian, James Mazembe, Mark Okola, George Onyango, Kintu Sam, Lameck Onwonga, 16 Justine Omwando, Mathew Tegisi, Brian Michira, Darius Msagha,
Maxwell Mulli, Shem Odinga, Denis Okoth, Samuel Maiko, Christopher Raila, Brian Bett, Benard Okinyi, Ezekiah Omuri, Kevin Omundi, Omamo Dimpol, Emmanuel Wangai