Shabana fans left scratching h**ds after recent loss
Immediately William Wadri drilled home in the 81st minute to give Bandari FC a 2-0 lead against Shabana FC during their FKF Premier League fixture at Machakos Stadium on Sunday, Tore Bobe fans estimated to be around 2,500 started to stream out of the match venue with disappointment all over their faces.
“We have seen enough, we have had enough and it is painful to stay on,” the fans sang as they made their way to the waiting buses for another long journey back to their destinations. The decision by their faithful is a clear indication that all is not well at the Kisii-based Glamour Boys, whose return to the top-flight marked 17 years in the lower division.
Bandari had already taken a deserved lead in the 35th minute when Francis Kahiro scored from cross range and this was after Shabana had squandered a chance to take the lead after youngster Ezekiah Omuri saw his weak penalty saved by goalkeeper Joseph Ochuka, who was named man of the match.
The defeat left Tore Bobe languishing second from the bottom of the 18-team table with 18 points, having suffered 13 defeats won four times, and drew six matches. With eleven matches remaining until the end of the season, Shabana may as well find it difficult to keep their status in the top-flight.
Shabana coach Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo is however not giving up in his quest to help the Glamour Boys stay up. “It is another difficult result to take, we had a penalty had we scored could have changed the tide of the game, but look Bandari imposed the game on us and we ended up losing,” said Omollo, adding: “We will continue to fight, eleven matches is not a good number but we will keep on fighting.”
Bandari vice-chairman Twaha Mbarak, who was in attendance, admitted feeling the pain for Tore Bobe fans but urged them to keep the faith and support the team until the end of the campaign.
“I admire and feel for the enthusiastic and passionate supporters of Shabana and urge them to continue supporting their team out of relegation,” Mbarak told People Sports, adding: “We got a 2-0 victory, which propelled us to position three disadvantaged by goal difference and these energises us to tackle leaders Gor Mahia next Saturday.”
Meanwhile, AFC Leopards kept their push for a top-four finish following a 2-0 victory against Nzoia Sugar that extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions. Ingwe’s new signing from Rwanda Arthur Gitego put them ahead in the 78th minute before Beja Hassan scored against his former employers with five minutes left to the final whistle.
Ingwe, whose last defeat came in a 2-1 result against Bidco United on December 10, have now moved to seventh with 34 points, accumulated from eight wins, 10 draws, and five defeats while Nzoia remained rooted at the basement with 16 points.
