FKFPL: Abala strike helps solid Shabana disarm Kenya Police

Shabana’s rock solid defense was on full show as it frustrated defending league champions Kenya Police to a 1-0 loss at home on Sunday, 30 November.

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Led by all-action goalkeeper Stephen Ochieng, The Glamour Boys fended off frequent attacks from Dusan Stojanovic’s side, seizing a major win that in-turn halted Police's ambitions of going top of the league.

Match ticket prices had dominated talks ahead of the afternoon fixture, with Shabana referring to Police’s apparent tactics of pricing out fans as “daylight extortion” that had to be stopped.

The visitors, albeit watched on by a lesser number of supporters, made sure to laugh back at their opponents as they scored early, before squeezing out their fourth win of the season that pushed them into the top four.

The all-decisive moment came in the 28th minute when off-season signing Gilbert Abala guided a cute touch from Austine Odongo past Job Ochieng, giving Bernand Mwalala’s side a lead they never looked like relinquishing.

Toothless Police, off a last gasp victory over Bidco United during the week, on the other hand suffered only their second league defeat, failing in their first opportunity to go top.

Match Report

A game that gathered steam before it was even played got going 16 minutes in when Police threatened to take the lead, but were repelled by a sprawling defense.

Midfield dynamo Tobias Otieno, after a run forward, shot straight at Ochieng when inside the box, before Edward Omondi blasted the rebound into the legs of defender Wycliffe Omondi, who rushed in to clear.

That block ended up looking so significant as Shabana went up the other way to open the scoring.

The sequence leading to the opener came from Ezekiah Omuri’s cross from the left, which found its way to Abala to stick past Ochieng via a lobbed touch from Odongo.

The strike, placed into the top right corner, was Abala’s first for the club since his acquisition from Nairobi City Stars.

Police, shockingly without endeavor going forward, were limited to scraps in the first-half, and it was only in the closing minutes when they upped their pressure.

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The best opportunity for the hosts came via the feet of Harambee Stars midfielder Marvin Nabwire in the 73rd minute, but he could only shoot a pass from David Okoth straight at Ochieng.

Mosengo Tansele, with a sharp freekick, held his hands in disbelief after Ochieng tipped it over the bar, and such were the reactions when all of Geoffrey Onyango and Exauce Misuri attempted a late comeback, but to no avail.

Points shared in Murang'a

Elsewhere at St. Sebastian Park, Kariobangi Sharks failed to put an end to their five-match winless run after settling for a barren draw with Murang’a Seal.

Sharks, whose last win came in early October, instead extended that streak to six games, a result that left them rooted at the foot of the table with eight points.

Seal, on the other hand, registered their fourth consecutive draw, but moved out of the relegation zone.

Osborne Monday’s side is now 15th with 11 points.