Shabana FC held by Nairobi United as Afraha Stadium welcomes back SportPesa League

Shabana FC were held to a goalless draw at home as the SportPesa League returned to Afraha Stadium for the first time in five years.

Shabana opted to play their home games in Nakuru as their main home ground, Gusii Stadium, undergoes renovations.

Sunday, October 18, marked the venue’s first top-flight match since 2021, when Afraha hosted Ulinzi Stars’ final match against KCB before the stadium was also shut down for major renovations.

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Shabana were looking to make it two wins from two after starting their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Posta Rangers. Nairobi United, meanwhile, were chasing their first win of the season after opening with a 2-2 draw against KCB last weekend.

Although Nairobi United came to Nakuru hoping to pick up all three points, the draw was enough to extend their unbeaten run against Shabana to three matches, having won both meetings last season.

Both sides carved out chances in either half, but they were not enough to give them the cutting edge to secure the wins.

Brian Michira squandered two crucial chances in the first half, and although Shabana dominated the second half, they could not get past the defence, with Farouk Shikalo keeping Patrick Aussems’ boys well in the game for both sides to settle for a point apiece.

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Meanwhile, in other Sunday matches, Murang’a SEAL bounced back brilliantly from a 4-2 defeat in their opener against Gor Mahia as they pummeled Posta Rangers with a 5-1 rout at SportPesa Arena.

One of their new signings, Josphat Lopaga, after scoring a brace in the opening weekend, continued to announce himself with another brace to make it four goals so far, with Majaliwa Charo also netting a brace and Michael Macharia sealing the win with the fifth goal as Denis Odhiambo’s men picked up their first win of the season.

Meanwhile, at Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega Homeboyz and Ulinzi Stars settled for a 1-1 draw, with Rodgers Ouma scoring a late equalizer for the hosts after Ulinzi had taken an early lead in the first half.