Shabana FC in their match against AFC Leopards during FKF Premier League at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos County on Sunday, March 16, 2025. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
Shabana fans can dare dream. The question remains, what if?
The 45-year-old football club from the fan-rich Gusii lands are currently sitting fourth in the FKF Premier League standings albeit with only six points separating them and leaders Kenya Police.
The Glamour Boys as they are commonly referred to has collected 16 points out of the possible 21 points from their last seven matches, five wins and a draw that has lifted them in the top four if not title contention.
With the recent mixed results shown by the season-long three title contenders in Kenya Police, Tusker and Gor Mahia, Shabana’s consistency might just change the dynamics and the league’s shape with only six matches left until the end of the 2024-2025 season.
Over the weekend, Shabana showed that they do not only rely on their thousands of fans that normally fill the Gusii Stadium every time they play at home to win matches when they edged out Nairobi City Stars 2-0 at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
The win lifted them to 46 points, six behind leaders Police who defeat KCB 2-1. Tusker who were top dropped to second with 51 points after falling 2-1 to Mathare United, while Gor Mahia’s 4-0 win lifted them to 50 points to set up a thrilling finish to the season.
However, we cannot rule out Shaban who have been very impressive in recent weeks.
Despite Shabana head coach Peter Okidi, remaining coy on their chances of pulling a late shocker by stunning record champions Gor Mahia and Tusker and winning their maiden title.
Speaking after their win against relegation-threatened City Stars in Machakos, Okidi said their focus is on winning their matches a game at a time, reminding everyone that they still have to play some of the title contenders.
“Every team should focus on winning their matches according to me. Six matches left right and six points behind but we are yet to play some of the top teams.
“At Shabana, we are taking it a game at a time and we are under no pressure because we are playing our football. Thanks to our fans, we are where we are,” said Okidi.
In the relegation zone, Mara Sugar, FC Talanta, Bidco United, Murang’a SEAL and City Stars are all battling to stay at the top.
Mara who are 14th with 30 points are just six points ahead of bottom-placed City Stars and the five teams are separated by one, two and three points in between them.
City Stars sit bottom for now with 24 points followed by Muranga on 26 points.
Bidco are currently occupying the relegation and promotion playoff spot which if they maintain, they will face off with the third-placed team from the National Super League in a winner takes it two-legged playoff.
Washington Onyango
| May 02, 2025