Former premier league side thump Kajiado FC to maintain lead in NSL campaign

High-flying Shabana just cannot stop their winning ways after they registered a deserved 3-1 win over Kajiado FC at Gusii Stadium in a mouth-watering National Super League mid-week duel that moved them to 22 points from 10 matches in a midweek tie.

‘Tore Bobe’ as they are popularly referred to by their fans, is eying an imminent return to the top tier after almost two decades in the cold and they are doing it in style. Red-hot Vincent Nyabuto hit a brace in the 27th and 86th minutes with Isaac Otieno with a brilliant solo effort in the 42nd minute. The consolation goal for the host team was through James Mutuku in the 52nd minute. This was Shabana’s fourth consecutive win and so far they have a goal difference of +12. As it stands, they have a five-point cushion at the top with eight games played the same as immediate challengers Kibera Black Stars FC and Coastal Heroes FC.

As for newcomers Kajiado FC, they are stuck in 14th place with a paltry four points albeit with three matches in hand. They have only a single win thus far with a goal difference of –3 for their efforts. The new team is apparently finding the going tough with three losses to their name so far and will need to be more competitive.

In another duel which was drab at the start, Darajani Gogo Boys FC drew 0-0 with Mully Children’s Family FC at Camp Toyoyo. It was a fairly well-contested game overall, especially in the midfield but woeful finishing from both sides made it duller.

The result means that slum boys Gogo from Kibera are in ninth place with 10 points while MCF is 11th with eight points with both teams still struggling to find a rhythm this season. Coach Caleb Aringa of Gogo was happy with the point picked though would have hoped for better. “It was a fair game and both teams fought bravely. However, I feel we should have done better with our balls, especially in the opponent’s box. Still, this is better than nothing and so we plan again for the next duel.”

On his part, MCF tactician Bernard Kawinzi whose forwards Kevin Omondi and Alfred Maningi missed open sitters suggested that the game offered him a chance to make rectifications. “I am happy but of course, we could have had goals. The most important thing is not losing away plus of course not conceding so all is not lost.”

Meanwhile, Niger secured a ticket for the quarter-final of the 2022 TotalEnergies African Nations championship (CHAN) after a shock 1-0 win over Cameroon on Tuesday.

Soumaila Badamassi was the hero for the Menas in their final Group E clash at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in the Algerian city of Oran.

The midfielder came off the bench to score a stunning free-kick that slightly deflected off the wall to leave goalkeeper Marcelin Mbahbi completely beaten tp spark wild jubilation.

The victory ensured that the Menas finished top of Group E and advance to their second ever quarter-final of the tournament meant exclusively for home-based players.

The two sides came into the contest with equal chances of reaching the quarter-final and Niger demonstrated their desire early in the game.

The Mena, who played a goalless draw against Congo in their first game of the group, had a positive start by forcing Cameroon’s center-back Che Malone to pick the first booking less than a minute after kick-off.

Niger’s defence stayed focused and Abdoul-Nasser Garba made a fine tackle to stop Harrison Djonkep from masterminding a counter attack before Jerome Ngom fired the resultant free-kick narrowly wide of goalkeeper Mahamadou Djibo’s goal.

Moments later, the first real chance of the game fell to the Nigeriens with midfielder Imarana Dan forcing a save from goalkeeper Marcelin Mbahbi.

Djonkep became the Indomitable Lions’ live wire down the left flank and was constantly targeted by Adamou Djibo for infrigements.

Niger had one last chance in the first-half when Bilyamine Moussa charged into Cameroon’s 18 yards box but was sandwiched by Saidou Ibrahim and Mbahbi.

Cameroon came back from the break looking more determined with Jerome Ngom Mbekeli swinging in a cross from the right but there was no Cameroonian heads to guide the ball on target.

Both coaches resorted to their substitutes to helped them to the break the deadlock with both sides making several substutions.

The Mena multiplied onslaught on the Cameroon’s defence, and it paid off at the 69 minute when Salissou Maazou was fouled at the edge of the Cameroon area by Prince Junior Sime.

Substitute Badamassi stepped up and fired a shot which took a deflection off Etta Bawak, and went past Mbahbi, giving Niger the lead.