- Shabana FC vs Gor Mahia will headline the Round of 16 of the SportPesa League this weekend.
- The highly anticipated clash will be staged at the Gusii Stadium on Sunday, January 11.
- Kick-off is scheduled for 2:00pm EAT.
Shabana FC will host record Sportpesa League champions Gor Mahia on Sunday at the Gusii Stadium, with kickoff slated for 2pm in Gameweek 16.
After weeks of controversy regarding the venue, the match was eventually confirmed for Kisii, following a spirited protest by Shabana officials against a proposed relocation to Nairobi
Gor Mahia, currently sitting second in the standings with twenty six points, enter the contest with everything at stake.
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They trail league leaders AFC Leopards by just a single point but hold a significant advantage with two games in hand.
Shabana FC vs Gor Mahia preview
K’Ogalo arrive in Kisii fresh off a dominant 4-1 victory over Kariobangi Sharks, and a win on Sunday could see them reclaim the top spot if AFC Leopards fail to beat Tusker FC in the other match played at Nyayo Stadium.
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For the hosts, the stakes are equally high. Shabana currently occupies fifth place with twenty three points and is looking to bridge the gap to the top four.
Although they suffered a 3-1 setback against Nairobi United,Tore Bobe faithful remain optimistic that they could scrap a positive result and mount a title charge as the league approaches the halfway mark.
The hosts will rely heavily on the form of Brian Michira, who has been instrumental in their attack previously before being sidelined for three months with injury.
Shabana eventually welcomed back Michira as he scored a penalty last time out against Nairobi United.
Gor Mahia will look to be Ezekiel Aduk-waw and midfield engine Alpha Onyango to dictate the tempo in the absence of the departed Austin Odhiambo.
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The historical record between these two sides heavily favors Gor Mahia, who have maintained a dominant upper hand since Shabana’s return to the top flight.
In their four most recent league meetings, K’Ogalo have secured three victories and one draw, leaving Shabana still searching for their first win against the record champions since promotion back from the NSL.
The last encounter took place in May 2025, at the same Gusii Stadium, where Gor Mahia silenced the home crowd with a narrow 1-0 victory in a match that was unfortunately remembered more for the pre-match security incidents.
Before the 1-0 result in May, the sides played out a 1-1 draw in December 2024, which remains the only time Shabana has managed to take a point off Gor Mahia in their last four attempts.
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Prior to that, Gor Mahia recorded back-to-back 1-0 wins in May 2024 and November 2023.
The last five matches have seen the hosts secure two wins,two draws and a loss while Gor Mahia on the other hand head into the fixture with a confidence boost after three consecutive matches without defeat.
Kogalo have two losses in the five match period.
Security remains a paramount concern for both the league and local authorities. Memories of the chaotic scenes during their previous meeting in May 2025, which left scores of fans injured, have prompted an unprecedented security operation.
Shabana Chairman Jared Nivaton and FKF officials have confirmed that three GSU battalions will be deployed alongside regular police and stewards to ensure fan safety.
Strict ticketing protocols have also been implemented, with 12,000 tickets printed and dedicated entry points established for home and away supporters to maintain clear buffer zones throughout the afternoon.