Shabana going, going, go.. after Yator brace for KCB

Former top-flight giants Shabana FC are all but relegated from the National Super League after Brian Yator sunk a brace to seal a 2-0 victory to visiting KCB FC at the Kericho Green Stadium in a re-scheduled fixture on Monday.

With four games left, basement side Shabana are on 12 points adrift of 18th-placed St. Joseph (25) and even if the Gusii based side win their next four games and the latter lose all their remaining games, they still have to crawl a -15 deficit on goal difference.

KCB’s victory against Shabana increased their chances of being promoted to the 2017 Kenya Premier League (KPL) after coming to within eight points of second placed Kariobangi Sharks (71).

Leaders Nzoia United landed a place in KPL following their 1-0 victory over St. Joseph’s on Sunday that gave them an unassailable 14-point advantage after taking their tally to 85.

Third placed Zoo Kericho (69), Nakumatt FC (68) and Vihiga United (63) are the other sides still in the promotion hunt as debate rages on whether the KPL will have 16 or 18 teams next season.

The Bankers deposited the opener through their dangerous marksman Yator when he fired home a superb shot outside the box in seventh minute before notching his double in the 40th to settle the contest.

Shabana’s Andrew Ongwae was the first to get into the referee Josiah Owiti’s book after he was shown the yellow card in the 27th for a reckless tackle.

KCB’s man of the match-Yator was also booked by the no nonsense referee in the 60th for simulation when he tumbled under no contact.

Following Shabana’s dismal performance, in the NSL, the team manager Andrew Kanuli accused the team management of neglecting the club.

He said the players lack motivation after the officials had indifferent attitude on them saying this has impacted negatively on the performance of the team. He claimed that his key lads are no longer serious after they were allegedly abandoned by club management.

“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 if we have to live to see tomorrow on football matters.

“We are currently in serious problems and my boys are about to hang their boots if no support comes in handy as soon as possible,” Kanuli decried.

KCB’s coach Leonard Saleh on his part said the game was tough even though they registered the victory. He congratulated his boys for the win; a move he said had increased their chances of being promoted to the 2017 KPL.

“We determined to get maximum points in the remaining four matches so that we could land a place in KPL next year and I optimistic we will get there,” said Saleh.

-Report by Bernard Rotich