- Wasteful Shabana held by Mara Sugar in goalless SportPesa League Round 14 draw
- The match was staged at Gusii Stadium on Wednesday, December 17.
- Shabana extended their unbeaten run to seven matches, while Mara Sugar stretched theirs to three.
Shabana FC failed to capitalize on their clear opportunities as they were held to a goalless SportPesa League draw by Mara Sugar on Wednesday afternoon at the Gusii Stadium.
Despite the frustration, the result proved more valuable than disappointing, as the Glamour Boys extended their unbeaten run to seven league matches.
The point kept Shabana seventh on the table with 20 points, while the Sugar Millers stretched their own unbeaten streak to three matches (two wins and a draw), moving into ninth place with 18 points.
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Wasteful Shabana held by Mara Sugar in goalless draw
The first attempt of the match arrived in the eighth minute through the hosts, Shabana, who had a chance to take the lead.
Douglas Mokaya found himself in space to shoot from a far-right throw-in, but he sent his effort wide.
They created another opportunity as they controlled the majority of the proceedings. In the 19th minute, Derrick Otieno had a chance to make the difference, only to volley the ball over the bar in what remained a tense, cagey affair.
Shabana squandered a golden opportunity to break the deadlock after sustained dominance. James Mazembe delivered a fine cross from the left wing that landed at the feet of Eric Otieno, who only needed a simple tap-in, but he sent the ball wide for a goal kick, leaving him to rue the missed chance.
Just a minute past the half-hour mark, Shabana threatened again.
Derrick Otieno missed another opportunity after Felix Odoyo parried the ball straight to his feet; with an open net beckoning, he skewed his shot over the woodwork.
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The match gradually found its rhythm, with Mara struggling to craft clear chances on their part.
The Sugar Millers fashioned their own chance in the 35th minute, but lethal attacker Dennis Cheruiyot’s powerful shot sailed over the crossbar.
Despite Peter Okidi’s charges dominating the first half, they could not convert their opportunities, and the two sides went into the break locked in a stalemate.
The second half saw little change for either side, despite both introducing fresh legs. They ultimately shared the spoils, with Shabana taking their first point from Mara, whom they lost to in both fixtures last season.
Elsewhere, Nairobi United snapped their five-match winless run across all competitions- and three in the SportPesa League, with a narrow 0-1 victory over Tusker FC at the SportPesa Arena in Murang’a County.
The match was decided by Kevin Otiende’s long-range strike in the eighth minute. Brandon Obiero attempted to tip it over the bar but could only brush the ball as it dipped into the net, pausing Tusker’s three-match winning streak and dropping them from the top of the table.
The result propelled NaiBois into 10th place with 16 points from just 10 matches this season.
Meanwhile, Mathare United edged Sofapaka 1-0 thanks to Dennis Okoth’s second-half strike, condemning Ezekiel Akwana’s side to a sixth consecutive winless outing.
Mathare made it two matches undefeated, moving them into the top ten.
Shabana FC vs Mara Sugar: SportPesa League Round 14: Wednesday, December 17: lineups
- Shabana FC: Stephen Ochieng, Humphrey Obina, James Mazembe, Mark Okola, Victor Omondi, Bryon Otieno, Wilcliffe Omondi, Kevin Omondi, Douglas Mokaya, Derrick Otieno, Eric Otieno.
- Mara Sugar: Felix Odoyo, Harun Thomas, Drona Openda, Robinson Musungu, Jimmy Owili, Kelvin Mwavali, Silas Oningo, Tony Omondi, Felix Casillas, Dennis Cheruiyot, Douglas Timothy Ndayala.