FKFPL: Omalla scores brace as Nairobi United batter Shabana at Gusii

Nairobi United reaped the first fruits of their technical bench changes after securing a 3-1 away victory over Shabana in an FKF Premier League match played on Sunday, 4 January at Gusii Stadium from 1400 hrs.

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Naibois had revamped their technical bench earlier in the week and brought in Rising Stars goalkeeper coach Sam Koko and former Harambee Stars midfielder Kevin Kimani as the Strength and Conditioning coach.

The reigning Mozzart Bet Cup champions also ropped in Boniface Omondi and Sadique Ambani as assistant coach and second assistant coach respectively.

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Shabana utilized their home advantage and began the match on a high, dominating the first five minutes, and almost took the lead in the fourth minute but Humphrey Obina’s strike hit the side netting.

Naibois started growing into the game by the 10th minute, but it was Shabana who earned the next chance when Obina floated in a free kick in the 14th minute, but Ernest Mohammed was equal to the task and gathered it with ease.

©Gad Isaac

It was the visitors who would then break the deadlock in the 21st minute when Dancan Omalla got to the end of a beautiful build up, and from a Michael Karamor assist, slotted the ball in.

Rattled by the goal, Shabana increased their push for a goal and thought they found it in the 33rd minute, but Austin Odongo was judged to have handled the ball before scoring.

The battle then concentrated in midfield where Naibois’ Lesley Otieno and Shabana’s Biron Otieno were keen on giving their respective teams the advantage.

As the half time whistle drew closer, a lapse of concentration in the Shabana defense allowed Karamor's seemingly harmless strike to find the back of the net via a touch from the Shabana defense, to ensure Naibois took a 2-0 lead to the break.

In the second half, Shabana intensified their search for goal but missed early chances through Hezrkiah Omuri and Derrick Otieno.

Naibois’ capitalized on the spaces left in Shabana’s defense when from a counter attack, they split Shabana’s defense through quick passes between Enock Machaka and Karamor.

©Gad Isaac

The latter set up Omalla who slotted in for his second of the day.

Frustrated Shabana fans started streaming out of the stadium with chants of ‘Okidi Must go’ filling the air.

Shabana had an opportunity to pull on back in the 70th minute, but Mark Okola headed wide from an Obina corner.

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Shabana fans would then get a reason to smile as Harambee Stars forward Brian Michira was introduced in the 75th minute to mark his first return to the team in 11 matches since suffering an injury in their 1-1 draw against Tusker on 5 October 2025.

Shabana’s efforts paid off in the 90th minute when Lennox Ogutu fouled Wycliffe Omondi in the box, with the referee pointing to the spot.

Michira stepped up to score the penalty, marking his return with a goal that received applause from the remaining Gusii crowd.

©Gad Isaac

Shabana pushed for more, but time was not on their side as the visitors left Gusii with a 3-1 victory.

The win took Naibois to ninth position with 19 points after 11 matches, while Shabana remained fourth with 23 points from 15 matches.