Shabana FC NSL misery nears its end, Sharks lead race for second

As the National Super League (NSL) enters Round 35, the scenario at Shabana FC is a world away from the club’s heydays when they were a force to reckon with domestically.

Once a domestic powerhouse finishing second in the league in 1988, the Kisii-based club stares helplessly as the relegation axe from the second tier after a farcical season where they were reinstated to the NSL on appeal after being kicked out by the new Football Kenya Federation (FKF) regime in February.

This is a far cry to the 2014 season when previous FKF boss, Sam Nyamweya, promoted them to the Kenyan Premier League alongside Posta Rangers, Zoo Kericho and Nakumatt FC only for mediated talks between world body FIFA and continental body CAF reversed the decision during the genesis of the battle that pitted an 18 versus 16 team top-flight.

Since then, Shabana have struggled to gain semblance of normalcy and with the exit of Nyamweya from FKF, they lacked their political benefactor as a gripping financial crisis brought the club to its knees.

On Saturday, the team that has only won thrice in 34 matches this season needs to beat Nakuru All Stars to at least postpone their exit from the NSL to the third tier Division One with an unlikely victory for St. Joseph over promotion chasing KCB condemning them as well.

Shabana questionably won the 2014 Nationwide Division One title after being awarded nine points in the boardroom and a 2-1 reverse to the Bankers brought them closer to the brink on Monday.

Their relegation was delayed by champions Nzoia United 1-0 victory at St. Joseph that clinched the former the title.

As it stands, St. Joseph occupy the last survival place in the division with 25 points, 12 ahead of rock-bottom Shabana with the goal difference count also skewed at -15 against the latter meaning even if the de-motivated Gusii based giants win their remaining four fixtures, they need to run cricket scores to complete a miraculous escape.

“The increase won’t have effects on us if only we scoop nine points from our remaining four matches,” St. Joseph boss Nicholas Mbogo weighed in on the debate of 16 versus 18 teams as they seek to retain their NSL status.

“It’s a good idea to increase up to 18 teams in KPL so that players can be noted, because, this league is hard for a player to be spotted. Though, the change won’t have effects on us since only two teams will be relegated,” he added.

Also struggling to stay up are Ligi Ndogo on 21 but with 12 points to play for, they have all the reason to fight for survival with St. Joseph failing to win in their last five giving them hope.

“The players lack motivation which has affected their performance leading to poor results. We as a team, we are calling on the County governments of Nyamira and Kisii and other well-wishers or sponsors to come to the rescue of the club before my boys hang their boots,” Shabana official, Andrew Kanuli once again lamented the sorry tale of their season.

With key players abandoning the Gusii based fallen giants, Shabana are in a struggle to delay the inevitable disgraceful chapter in their demise having fallen from the grace of patronage to the despair of being dumped out of the NSL with a whimper.

Away from the drop zone, five sides are battling to join Nzoia in the Promised Land of KPL with Kariobangi Sharks, a team associated with current NSL boss Nick Mwendwa, leading the queue in second on 71, two clear of Zoo with Nakumatt (68), KCB (66) and Vihiga United (65) still in the running.

Nakumatt have the hardest fixture on paper when they host Thika-based Bidco (50) in seventh while Sharks are at home to Palos (49) in eighth.

Zoo are away to 12th-placed Mosca (41) on Saturday knowing victory will see them leapfrog Sharks for at least 24 hours and place pressure on their immediate rivals while Vihiga entertain tricky Agro Chemicals (45) who slid from fighting for promotion at the start of the second leg to tenth.

Elsewhere, champions Nzoia (85) continue their title procession by turning out in their Bungoma home turf against two-time national champions and 13th-placed Oserian (37) as they seek to embellish their storming run to promotion.

With uncertainty still surrounding talks to expand or retain the current KPL format next season, the battle to finish as Nzoia’s bridesmaid has turned into a coveted prize against the challengers keen to step up to play in the top division as the NSL climax bell tolls in Round 35.

FIXTURES

SATURDAY (All 1700 kick-offs)

KCB v St Joseph FC

MOSCA FC v Zoo Kericho

Modern Coast Rangers v Police FC

Vihiga United v Agro Chemicals

Wazito FC v Ligi Ndogo

SUNDAY (All 1600 kick-offs unless stated)

Kariobangi Sharks v Palos FC

Nakuru All Stars v Shabana

Nairobi Stima v FC Talanta

17:00 Nzoia United v Oserian

18:15 Nakumatt v Bidco United.

-Report by Ali Endere.