Shabana FC got their Premier League campaign off to a losing start following a 1-0 defeat to fellow promoted side Murang’a Seal at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay on Sunday.
Coach Sammy Okoth handed starts to new signings Rodgers Aloro and Mark Okolla with Johanna Mwita among the new arrivals on the bench.
Murang’a asked the questions first when Jon Kiplamet shook off two Shabana defenders before unleashing a ferocious shot that went wide after just five minutes.
Tore Bobe then had their chances with Nehemiah ‘Neymar’ Onchiri missing narrowly after 18 minutes following a good build-up from Isaac Otieno before the forward threatened yet again five minutes later.
It was then the turn of Murang’a to test the Shabana defence two minutes later when Denis Wabwire’s cross inside the box found Kiplamet who then laid it on a plate for Wilberforce Lugogo. The midfielder took many touches, allowing the Shabana defence to clear the danger.
Shabana then thought they had grabbed the lead on the stroke of halftime by Bryan Michira missed a sitter as the scores remained 0-0 at the break.
Onchiri then came close in the 52nd minutes through a lovely flick and that was his last bit of action before he was replaced by new striker Mwaita while Michira went off for Wycliffe Mutua as Okoth sought to inject more invention and sharpness into his attack.
Peter Ogechi then fired wide before Otieno failed to trouble the Muranga defence with a free-kick.
However, with the game headed for a goalless draw, a mistake in the Shabana defence allowed Murang’a to grab all three points when substitute Batts Awita nodded home in time added on to leave the Shabana fans disappointed.
