Shabana FC edge 10-man Posta Rangers in SportPesa League season opener

Shabana FC kicked off their 2026/27 SportPesa League campaign in style, edging 10-man Posta Rangers in a narrow victory on Saturday evening at Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga.

The fixture marked the season’s second match, following an earlier curtain-raiser that saw Mathare United play out a goalless draw with APS Bomet at Police Sacco Stadium.

The encounter also proved a historic one on the touchline, as Egyptian tactician Ahmed Fathy became the first-ever Egyptian to coach in the SportPesa League and the first foreign boss to lead Tore Bobe in top-flight football, lining up against counterpart Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno of Posta Rangers.

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Both head coaches signaled their intent early by handing starts to several fresh faces. Otieno handed immediate starting berths to new signings, including loanee Mark Shaban and Teddy Dok, who made his return to competitive football with his debut for the Mailmen.

On the opposite side, Fathy made wholesale additions to the Glamour Boys’ starting lineup, handing debuts to Pavel Ndzila in goal, Sigmunn Maina, Derrick Otanga, Brian Ogutu, and Habert Sunday.

Shabana threatened almost immediately from the opening whistle, carving out the game’s first real attack when James Mazembe teed up Sigmunn Maina on the edge of the box, though the debutant’s effort dragged wide for a goalkick.

The key turning point arrived inside the first ten minutes when Posta Rangers captain Bernard Ondiek was shown a straight red card for a DOGSO (Denial of an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity) challenge after pulling down Derrick Otanga, who was bearing down on goal.

The early numerical disadvantage forced Zedekiah Otieno into a reshuffle in the 14th minute, bringing on new signing John Ouma from Zetech Titans to plug the void at center-back, sacrificing playmaker Jackson Macharia while Faustine Odhiambo assumed the captain’s armband.

Capitalizing on their extra man, Shabana came agonizingly close around the half-hour mark when Brian Michira slid a perfectly weighted through-ball to Otanga, but Odhiambo pulled off a magnificent last-ditch block in a one-on-one situation to deny the opener.

Posta Rangers managed to threaten late in the half despite being a man down, as Brian Ouma’s deep free-kick picked out Mark Shaban at the far post, but his header clipped the side netting just before the referee blew for the interval.

The final 45 minutes didn’t produce much from either side apart from the goal, though Shabana came out with renewed attacking intent, looking to make their extra man count.

Michira wasted another chance after racing past his markers, firing wide, before Odhiambo was let off the hook again.

The breakthrough finally came seven minutes later when Abdul Hafiz collected Brian Bett’s pass and calmly slotted past Odhiambo to give Shabana the lead.

The hosts pushed for a second, with Mazembe heading George Orako’s delivery wide, while Posta searched for an equaliser through Wasambo, who failed to capitalise on a loose ball near the edge of the box.

Despite late pressure from Rangers, Shabana held firm to secure maximum points and start their campaign with a crucial victory.

• Posta Rangers Starting XI: Peter Odhiambo, Elvis Osok, Dimpol Omamo, Faustine Ojiambo, Bernard Ondiek, Elvis Noor, Jackson Macharia, Teddy Dok, Oliver Maloba, Mark Shaban, Brian Ouma
• Shabana FC Starting XI: Pavel Ndzila, Brian Bett, James Mazembe, George Onyango, Sunday Habert, Biron Otieno, Brian Ogutu, Kevin Omundi, Derrick Otanga, Sigmunn Maina, Brian Michira