Toothless Shabana Held by Kariobangi Sharks to Extend Winless Run as Nairobi United are Humbled by Sofapaka

Shabana FC’s frustrating run of form continued on Saturday evening as they were held to a barren draw by Kariobangi Sharks in a SportPesa Premier League clash at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Despite dominating possession and creating several openings, the Kisii-based side failed to convert their superiority into goals, extending their winless streak to five matches.

The result piles more pressure on head coach Peter Okidi and his technical bench, who have now gone three consecutive matches without scoring a goal.

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After seven fixtures, Shabana sit seventh on the log with eight points from two wins, two draws, and three losses — a disappointing return for a club that began the season with lofty title ambitions.

However, Okidi’s men can take solace in a solid defensive display and an improving fitness level, as the squad continues to recover from early-season injury setbacks.

For Sharks, the draw offered a much-needed reprieve after a poor run of back-to-back defeats. William Muluya’s side now move to five points, placing them 14th after seven rounds — far from ideal, but a step in the right direction.

Elsewhere, Sofapaka produced one of their finest performances of the campaign, easing past a weary Nairobi United 3-0 in a one-sided contest at the Dandora Stadium.

Returning from their CAF Confederation Cup adventure, Nairobi United looked out of rhythm and short of energy, as Ezekiel Akwana’s Batoto ba Mungu dominated from start to finish.

In-form forward Joseph Kuloba opened the scoring in the 9th minute, pouncing on a loose ball inside the box after a flowing team move. Daniel Ng’ang’a then came close to doubling the lead with a thunderous long-range effort that narrowly missed the target.

Nairobi United’s best chance of the half came midway through the first period, but Sofapaka goalkeeper Edward Olak produced a brilliant low save to deny a close-range effort.

The hosts’ second-half resistance quickly crumbled when substitute Bramwell Simiyu fired home in the 85th minute to make it 2-0, before Japheth Mzungu sealed the emphatic win with a neat finish in the 88th minute following a swift counterattack.

The result lifts Sofapaka to sixth place on the log with eight points from six matches, easing pressure on coach Akwana after a mixed start to the campaign.

For Nicholas Muyoti’s Nairobi United, it was an afternoon to forget — their heaviest defeat since promotion to the top flight. They remain 13th with six points, though they still have two games in hand to correct course.

At the Awendo Green Stadium, Mara Sugar and Bandari FC battled to a goalless draw, both sides extending their search for a second win of the season. Despite a lively opening, neither team managed to find a breakthrough, leaving both coaches with plenty to ponder as the season gathers pace.