Shabana break Mwalala's unbeaten start at Bandari as Sharks shock Ulinzi
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Reading Time: 4min | Sun. 01.02.26. | 16:10
Prior to the game at Gusii, Bandari had not lost in the four matches played under Mwalala
An illegitimate first half penalty was enough to break Bernard Mwalala's unbeaten start as Shabana floored Bandari 1-0 on Sunday at Gusii Stadium.
Prior to the game, Mwalala who ditched Shabana for Bandari slightly over three weeks ago, had led the Dockers to three wins and a draw.
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However, his bid to extend his good start suffered a blow at the hands of his former employers, losing by a solitary goal in a match marred by atrocious officiating.
The visitors certainly felt hard done by centre referee Emmanuel Ochieng's decision to award Shabana an illegitimate penalty, in the 27th minute, after he fell for tricks by the home players, who urged him to penalise Clifford Ouma for handling in the box.
Replays from the live match showed that the defensive midfielder did not come close to handling the ball and further, exposed Ochieng's poor positioning.
Brian Michira stepped up and plundered home from the spot to make the difference between the two sides, just as he did in the first leg.
Prior to the incident, Bandari had a legitimate goal disallowed for offside, as seen from the replays.
Darius Msagha, who was facing his former side, had found the back of the net after connecting a cross from Omar Rajab,only for the assistant referee Jane Cherono to raise the flag against the wing back.
The two incidents, that certainly determined the outcome of the match, are expected to dominate in the review of this weekend's matches, even as clubs heighten calls for better officiating.
Meanwhile, Kariobangi Sharks got out of the relegation zone following a 1-0 win over Ulinzi Stars at Kasarani Annex.
Heading into the match, both teams were struggling to register positive results.
Sharks were on a five-match winless streak, while Ulinzi had won one of their previous eight matches.
The match began with a high pace, both teams launching attacks in search of an early goals.
The match started to settle in the fifth minute, Ulinzi clearly opting to attack through direct balls, while Sharks resorted to their usual short, quick passes.
Sharks took the lead in the 40th minute through Humphrey Aroko, who struck from the spot.
Sharks’ efforts would finally pay off in the 40th minute when Aroko converted from the penalty spot to break the deadlock after Ulinzi had handled in the area.
Ulinzi reacted by increasing their urgency and had an opportunity in the 42nd minute, when Paul Odhiambo got to the end of a Danson Kago pass at the edge of the box, but his went directly to the hands of Sebastian Wekesa.
In what was turning out to be an end to end match, Sharks in their usual manner, broke out with a quick transition, with Andreas Odhiambo feeding Ally Salum who cut in to his favorite left foot, but his effort from outside the box missed the target.
Sharks wasted a golden opportunity to take a two-goal lead to half time when David Majak got to the end of an exchange between Odhiambo and Aroko, but his feeble effort hit the side netting.
Ulinzi introduced Staphod Odhiambo for Leshan Mootian at half time in a bid to level matters and possibly grab all points.
Ulinzi created the first chance of the second half in the 50th minute through Talena Ochieng but his free kick was well gathered by Wekesa.
Ulinzi survived a scare at the hour mark when a Bildad Abongo made a misjudged pass that beat Timothy Odhiambo, but the Harambee Stars custodian was quick to make amends before Majak could capitalize on the mistake.
The military side intensified their attacks, playing the ball to the right wing where Harambee Stars winger Boniface Muchiri and captain Brian Birgen were delivering crosses for Paul Odhiambo, but could not find the back of the net.
With the win, Sharks moved out of the relegation zone to 15th on the log with 17 points, same as Ulinzi who are 14th due to a better goal difference.
At the St. Sebastian Park, Murang'a Seal grabbed maximum points after edging APS Bomet 2-1.
Joe Waithira netted a brace for Seal with Philiph Wasai scoring the consolation goal for Bomet.
