FKFPL: Shabana hold winless Tusker to stay top ahead of October FIFA break

Shabana FC will sit at the summit of the 2025/2026 Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) table heading to the October FIFA international break after battling to a 1-1 draw with Tusker in a league match played at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, October 5.

Harambee Stars forward Austin Odongo gave Tore Bobe the lead in the 19th minute before substitute Ian Simiyu levelled for Tusker with 10 minutes left on the clock.

The draw keeps Shabana level on points with Posta Rangers, as both teams have seven, but Shabana remain top on goal difference, having scored six goals and conceded three compared to Rangers whi have let in four times.

For the Brewers of Ruaraka, the stalemate brought them a second point of the season, though they remain winless after four games.

The point, however, moves the Charles Okere–coached outfit off the bottom of the 18-team table to 16th place.

Tusker have drawn twice and lost twice, while Shabana have won twice and drawn once.

The first half was largely cagey as both sides focused on organisation rather than taking risks.

Play was concentrated in the midfield, with neither team creating sustained pressure in the opening quarter-hour.

Shabana, however, looked the more composed in possession and were rewarded when Odongo struck in the 19th minute, calmly finishing after pouncing on a loose ball inside the Tusker box.

The goal settled the visitors, who tightened up at the back and restricted Tusker to half chances for the remainder of the half.

The home side struggled to find rhythm before the break.

Their lone meaningful attempt came in the 33rd minute when a Curtis Wekesa cross was nodded narrowly wide by David Polepole.

Tusker started the second half with greater urgency.

Okere introduced Dennis Oalo for Vincent Owino, and within the first minute of the restart, Thomas Omole won a corner, though Wekesa’s delivery failed to trouble Shabana’s backline.

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Odongo won a free-kick for Shabana in the 50th minute after being brought down by Tusker defender Charles Momanyi, who was shown a yellow card.

Bronson Ngusuba’s attempt from the set piece, however, drifted well wide.

The Glamour Boys almost doubled their lead in the 54th minute when Keith Imbali’s strike skimmed past the post, leaving their supporters in the stands groaning in frustration.

As the match crossed the hour mark, Tusker still struggled to break through Shabana’s rearguard, marshalled by Kevin Musamali and captain George Onyango.

The growing tension was visible on the Tusker technical bench, with coach Okere frequently pacing the touchline.

In the stands, the presence of Tusker chairman Charles Gacheru was noted, a sight that may have added to the pressure on the bench as the minutes ticked away.

Shabana brought on Derrick Otieno and David Odoyo for Imbali and Dalphine Omuri in the 65th minute to add fresh attacking impetus.

However, they were forced into another change soon after when captain Onyango suffered an injury and was replaced by new signing Wycliffe Omondi.

Kevin Omundi also entered the fray for Justine Omwando

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The changes helped Shabana keep play in Tusker’s half for long stretches, but Momanyi proved a towering presence in aerial duels for the brewers.

Tusker’s breakthrough came after Okere’s double substitution in the 74th minute, when Teddy Onyango Dok and Ian Simiyu replaced Wekesa and David Polepole.

Simiyu made an immediate impact in the 80th minute, overpowering Shabana defender Mark Okola before unleashing a thunderbolt into the far-left corner, his first goal for Tusker since joining from Nzoia Sugar in January.

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The equaliser lifted Tusker’s tempo, and they dominated the closing minutes, but Shabana held firm despite yet another injury scare.

Nsubuga, who had earlier been stretchered off, returned to the field as all substitutions had been exhausted, ensuring Shabana finished with a full complement.

The draw preserved Shabana’s unbeaten start to the season after three games, two wins and a draw, while Tusker continue their search for a first victory of the campaign.