Shabana FC coach Peter Okidi has openly called out his defender Mark Okola following his side’s 2-1 defeat to Kariobangi Sharks in a dramatic SportPesa League clash at Gusii Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Shabana appeared to be in control of the contest for large periods of the second half after taking the lead shortly after the restart.
The hosts broke the deadlock just two minutes into the second half when stand-in captain Brian Michira produced a composed finish to put the Glamour Boys ahead.
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The move began with a precise forward pass from Derrick Otieno, who spotted Michira’s run and delivered a well-weighted ball behind the defence. Michira calmly lifted the ball over Sharks goalkeeper Sebastian Wekesa to give the home side the advantage and ignite celebrations among the Gusii faithful.
For much of the half, Shabana looked comfortable and appeared on course to secure all three points. However, the match took a dramatic turn late in the game.
In the 79th minute, Kariobangi Sharks substitute Razel Omondi made an immediate impact after coming on. The Kenya U17 attacker danced across the Shabana defence before slotting home the equaliser, marking his first-ever goal in the SportPesa League.
Barely moments after the restart, the Sharks struck again. Another substitute, Markvivan Kesa, pressed aggressively and dispossessed Okola deep in Shabana’s half. The turnover proved costly as Sharks capitalized on the mistake to score the winner, completing a stunning turnaround within a minute.
Shaban FC coach Okidi points finger at defender after embarrassing defeat to Sharks
Speaking after the match, Okidi did not hide his disappointment and singled out the defensive lapse that led to the decisive goal.
“Sometimes it is all on the players. Looking at the goal we conceded, I think the player has to call himself to a meeting. This is the second time he is doing that,” Okidi said.
“We thought tactically we had them, but looking at the mistake the player made, that is not even a schoolboy mistake. You cannot make such a mistake in top-flight football. For today’s result, I do not blame the players or even the coaching staff , I take responsibility but the defender has to take a lot of responsibility. He has to explain why, within seconds, we gifted Kariobangi Sharks a goal.”
The tactician added that such errors were unacceptable for a team competing at the top level.
“He needs to step up and understand that this is top-flight football. It is shameful for the team and even for the player himself. We were in the title race, but now we have lost ahead of a difficult away match. We will rebuild and come back stronger.”
Okidi also explained that squad rotation played a part in his lineup selection.
“We made some squad rotation because some players have been tired. Dizzo, the Shabana captain, has just returned from injury and is not yet there, so we had to rotate. We played well until we conceded. Conceding two goals within a minute is something mental, and for the second goal the player has to explain.”
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Shabana will now shift their focus to a tough away clash against league leaders Gor Mahia in their next match at Nyayo National Stadium.
“We will handle it the way it comes,” Okidi said briefly when asked about the upcoming fixture.
Despite the setback, Shabana remain third on the league table with 40 points. The Glamour Boys have recorded 11 wins and seven draws so far this season, scoring 29 goals and conceding 25. However, the defeat was their sixth of the campaign and leaves them 13 points behind leaders Gor Mahia, while they sit three points behind second-placed AFC Leopards, who still have a game in hand.
With the title race tightening and crucial fixtures ahead, Shabana will need to quickly regroup if they are to keep their hopes alive in the closing stages of the season.