Shabana FC and Ulinzi Stars played out a 0-0 draw in a Round 31 SportPesa League encounter at the Gusii Stadium on Saturday afternoon early kickoff.
The draw moves the glamour boys to 48 points, keeping them in the hunt for a top-four finish but slowing their momentum at home.
For the Soldiers, the away point moves them to 32 points, providing a small cushion in their desperate fight to avoid the relegation zone with the season reaching its climax.
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Shabana FC held by Ulinzi Stars at Gusii Stadium
Both sides entered the fray significantly weakened by the absence of key personnel. The hosts were without their talisman, Brian Michira, who is sidelined for the remainder of the season with a groin injury while Ulinzi Stars had to cope without vice-captain Boniface Muchiri due to a knock and the suspended Bildad Abonga who was red carded in their away win over Bandari last time out.
The match sparked into life in the seventh minute when Pape Diallo found himself through on goal following a pinpoint long ball from Kevin Omundi. With only the keeper to beat, Diallo’s effort went agonizingly wide of the upright.
Shabana responded with another attack almost immediately when Humphrey Obina stepped up for a free-kick in a dangerous position, forcing a spectacular save from Sylvaine Ricks to keep the scores level.
Ulinzi had their own chance ten minutes later through a Kevin Musambai free-kick, but Stephen Ochieng’ was equal to the task, parrying the goal-bound effort away.
The second half proved to be a more cagey affair, with no clear-cut chances as both midfields canceled each other out. The stalemate was nearly broken in the 78th minute when Ulinzi substitute Mwasi laid the ball off to Bill Okite just outside the box; his powerful strike seemed destined for the back of the net before it was blocked and deflected out for a corner.
In a frantic final few minutes ,Shabana made one last desperate attempt to snatch victory in the dying seconds. Kevin Omundi drifted forward and delivered a cutback to substitute Derrick Oketch, but the youngster’s composure deserted him as he skied the ball over the bar, ensuring the match ended goalless.
The draw maintains Ulinzi’s record of being unable to beat Shabana in the league since the Kisii-based side’s return to the top flight, but they will head back to Nairobi the happier of the two teams with a vital point in their survival quest.
Starting Lineups
- Shabana FC : Stephen Ochieng, Humphrey Obina, Kevin Musamali, Wycliffe Omondi, George Orako (C), Byron Otieno, Gilbert Abala, Kevin Omundi, Austine Odongo, Derrick Otieno, Pape Diallo.
- Ulinzi Stars: Sylvaine Ricks, Brian Birgen, Andrew Otunda, Bonface Muchika, Alex Masinde, Bill Okite, Kevin Musambai, John Kago, Paul Okoth, Staphod Odhiambo, Meshack Nyongesa.