Much-hyped clash fizzles as Shabana fail to trouble Gor Mahia

Shabana’s wait for a FKF Premier League victory over Gor Mahia will go for much longer after they failed, to once again, take advantage of playing in front of their home fans at Gusii Stadium, settling for a barren draw on Sunday, 11 January.

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The battle lines, if not already drawn, were reinstated back into the thinking of many fans once a question arose as to where the claimed ‘Nyanza Derby’ would take place.

However, for the much hype that surrounded the heated fixture, there was nothing much to write about, as both teams huffed and puffed under the afternoon sun to each go home with a point.

Gor Mahia, looking to repeat their heroics last time out in May, looked like a blunt object as they labored to find a way past Stephen Ochieng in the Shabana goal, this despite summoning the early services of new signing Jackson Dwang, who replaced an injured Ben Stanley Omondi in the first half.

K’Ogalo’s best opportunity must well have come from the former Posta Rangers man, but flanked by his other dangermen, did not do enough to snatch important points, which could have kept some daylight between Gor Mahia and the chasing pack.

As it is, the point just pipped Charles Akonnor’s side ahead of fierce rivals AFC Leopards on goal difference, with the latter playing later on Sunday against Tusker.

For Shabana, a blank meant their winless run over Gor Mahia went to a fifth game since their promotion back to the top tier, and remained in fourth place on the log with 24 points.

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Match Report

Given the horrific scenes that accompanied K'Ogalo's last win at Gusii, there were a few jitters in regards to how things would pan out on their return, but the fixture went on smoothly, which is a nod to Shabana and how they handled the ocasion this time round.

Gor Mahia were forced to make a last minute adjustment in goal when Bryne Omondi was deemed unable to start, with Gad Matthews coming on to make his first start this season.

The dependable keeper had to be on alert throughout the game, as Shabana forced ways to get one past their rival.

One such moment came in the 21st minute, when Humphrey Obina stretched Gad to his right with a long free-kick, only for the former to smack the crossbar.

That effort came moments after Gor Mahia had threatened to take a lead of their own, with Shariff Musa booting a well-looped freekick from Enock Morisson over Ochieng's goal.

Morisson, by then, had got Ochieng rattled, when he forced the keeper to tip over his freekick in the 14th minute.

Dwang, looking to make an instant impact on his K'Ogalo debut, meanwhile, produced the best chance for the visitors, when he burst through the left flank and arrowed a low drive, only for Ochieng to force it out for a corner.

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After the break, Kevin Omundi was stopped in his tracks by Gad when he attempted a rasping shot in the 52nd minute, and the same result befell Bronson Nsubuga, when he also saw his outfoot effort claimed by the number two keeper.

Gor Mahia, who struggled to make their point known in the second half, only got close when Samuel Kapen hit straight at Ochieng in the 48th minute, and were fortunate to see Wycliffe Omondi spurn two late opportunities, to atleast leave with a point.

Shabana, on the other hand, wished their enterpirise bore more fruits, even as their league duck over K'Ogalo persisted.