Shabana FC will welcome Bandari FC at the Gusii Stadium on Sunday afternoon in a Sportpesa League round 19 clash with kickoff set for 2pm.
Shabana enters the match in fourth place with 28 points.
However, they are currently adjusting to life without their former assistant coach, Bernard Mwalala, who made a controversial move to become the head coach of Bandari, earlier this month.
ALSO READ: Blow as Bernard Mwalala ditches Shabana for Bandari mid-season
Shabana FC vs Bandari FC preview
Under head coach Peter Okidi, Shabana is desperate to fix their inconsistent home form, which has seen them drop points at Gusii Stadium despite having some of the most vocal support in the league.
Bandari FC sits eighth on the log with 27 points, trailing Shabana by just a single point.
The Dockers are enjoying a strong revival and will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run to eight matches.
They have picked up four solid wins and three draws so far, and the confidence in the camp is clearly growing. Coming off a narrow 1–0 win over Kenya Police FC, they will be hoping to keep that good run going.
For Mwalala a win today on his return to Kisii would not only see Bandari leapfrog Shabana but also validate his decision to join the Mombasa based team.
The Kisii-based side has been relatively quiet in the transfer window, with Coach Okidi insisting the squad has already gelled.
Okidi will see a return to full fitness of Justin Omwando but Captain George Orako is still not ready yet to feature.
Forward Austin Odongo is likely to feature after missing last weekend’s clash due to the burial of his father.
The visitors have no major fresh injury concerns. They are expected to stick with the defensive structure led by Andrew Juma,that has seen them concede only 11 goals all season as the joint-best defensive record in the league alongside AFC Leopards.
Coaches take ahead of the clash
Peter Okidi -Shabana FC
“Yes,Mwalala’s departure left a gap in our bench but we have moved on. Our focus is on the pitch. We have played well recently but lost concentration at key moments. Against a disciplined side like Bandari, we cannot afford mistakes.”
Bernard Mwalala -Bandari FC.
“We have worked on our finishing to match our defending. Playing away at Gusii isn’t easy but we will try to be as disciplined as possible.”
In their first-leg meeting earlier this season, Shabana secured a narrow 1-0 win away in Mombasa.
Bandari are winless in their last three matches against Shabana ,overally the last five matches between the two sides have been evenly placed with two wins each and a draw.
Vctory for Shabana could propel them into third place keeping them firmly in the title conversation.A win for Bandari would see them jump into the top six.
SportPesa League Round 19 Sunday February 1 fixtures
- Kariobangi Sharks vs Ulinzi Stars – Kasarani Annex – 2pm
- Shabana FC vs Bandari FC – Gusii Stadium – 2pm
- Murang’a SEAL vs APS Bomet – SportPesa Arena – 3pm