PREVIEW: Shabana out to extend impressive form against Mathare in three FKFPL Wednesday matches
Reading Time: 4min | Wed. 25.02.26. | 07:35
The Glamour Boys are unbeaten in their last six matches and have won their previous three in a row, firmly placing themselves in the title conversation
A total of three FKF Premier League matches will be staged across the country on Wednesday, 25 February, with action set for Nairobi, Mwea, and Mombasa as teams chase vital points at different spectrums of the table.
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Mathare United vs Shabana
Mathare United will be targeting a league double over in-form Shabana FC when the two sides clash at Nyayo National Stadium in an FKF Premier League Round 22 encounter.
The Slum Boys head into the tie on the back of a 1-1 draw last Saturday and have struggled for consistency this season. They will be keen to deliver an improved performance against Peter Okidi’s men. However, they face a confident Shabana side enjoying a rich vein of form.
The Glamour Boys are unbeaten in their last six matches and have won their previous three in a row, firmly placing themselves in the title conversation. In contrast, Mathare have yet to register back-to-back wins this season, making Wednesday’s contest a finely balanced affair.
Shabana sits third on the table with 37 points, nine behind leaders Gor Mahia, and remain firmly in the title race. Earlier in the season, head coach Okidi reiterated that the club’s ambition is to secure their first-ever league title.
“When we started the league, there were things we spoke about, and the whole aim for the season was to win this title, not just to participate,” Okidi said.
“For us, we have to stay humble in God’s eyes and keep working hard. We will go back to the drawing board, continue working and hope we get fantastic results.”
Shabana boasts an impressive unbeaten run away from home. All four of their defeats this season have come on their own turf, including a 1-0 loss to Mathare in the first leg courtesy of former Shabana striker Dennis Okoth, who now turns out for the Slum Boys.
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Kick-off is set for 4:15 pm.
Tusker FC vs Murang’a Seal
At Wang’uru Stadium in Mwea, Tusker FC will face Murang’a Seal in what promises to be a redemption battle for both sides.
Each team is coming off a defeat. The Brewers fell 1-0 to Shabana in Kisii, while Murang’a Seal suffered a 3-2 loss at home against Bandari FC, with coach Osborne Monday admitting his side paid the price for poor set-piece defending.
Tusker have endured an inconsistent campaign and recently made changes to their technical bench, appointing French tactician Julien Mette to replace Charles Okere. Despite losing his first match in charge, Mette remains optimistic about the team’s progress.
“To improve mentality, you need time because mental strength is the hardest thing to train and improve. But after just one week of work, I am really positively surprised by the guys,” Mette said.
“I think they understood many principles of play and the way I want them to play. Of course, we need to correct things, but it is good to play games to correct them.
Videos are better in training sessions. Normally, competitors want to play; training is work; the game is fun.”
Murang’a Seal have arguably been one of the standout teams this season and sit fifth with 33 points. Prior to their weekend setback, they were on a four-match winning streak, earning praise for their attractive brand of football.
“I am satisfied with the way the boys are playing, but one thing we have to look at is the mental strength because we were 2-1 up with eight minutes to go and we ended up losing the game in crazy fashion,” said coach Osborne Monday after the loss to Bandari
“Going forward, we are going to train more on set-piece defending because it is killing our game. We have to be more compact and win games.”
The match kicks off at 2 pm.
Bandari FC vs Nairobi United
In Mombasa, Bandari FC will host Nairobi United at Mbaraki Sports Club in a return leg fixture. The first meeting in Dandora Stadium last year ended in a 3-1 victory for the newcomers.
Both teams head into the match on a high. Bandari stunned Murang’a Seal 3-2 away from home last Saturday, while Nairobi United cruised to a 3-0 win over Bidco United at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
The Dockers are sixth on the table with 31 points from 21 matches, while Nairobi United, who have played 18 games, sit ninth with 28 points.
Kick-off is at 2 pm.
