Shabana woes deepen as Soy pull a famous win

National Super League giants Shabana’s recent woes deepened on Sunday after they lost 1-0 against bottom side Soy United at the Migori Stadium to effectively bow out of contention for promotion.

Shabana goalkeeper Elix Otieno’s gaffe in the first half that handed Soy the lead was the major highlight of the game as they held on to win and complete a double over their hosts following their 2-1 in the reverse fixture.

Their latest triumph will give the Xavier Francis-coached side hope that they can mount a serious survival fight as they are five points adrift of safety with nine games to go.

As for the home side, Shabana, the match presented an opportunity to hold on to their slim chances of challenging for a promotion playoff berth but their lackluster display offered little hope to their faithful whose quest to quench their thirst for Premier League action will have to wait for at least another season.

They trailed 1-0 into the break against a side that lost 4-0 against Kenya Police last week and could not device a way past Soy’s rear-guard in the second half.

Head coach Robert Ojienda made no bones in his scathing assessment of the team’s recent poor show.

“The boys have lost focus and today’s game was no different.

“We are officially out of contention for promotion and I hope this will get the pressure off the players as we approach our last seven games.”

His opposite number Francis Xavier remained optimistic of their survival chances, as he urged his players not to let their feet of the gas.

“We have struggled recently and we are ranked at number last on the log. Today we played well and I hope this will give us believe that we can survive.”

NSL Weekend Results

Kenya Police 2-1 Silibwet

Kisumu All-Stars 3-0 Nairobi Stima

Mt Kenya United 2-0 Mwatate United

Shabana 0-1 Soy United

Kibera Black Stars 1-0 APS Bomet

Modern Coast Rangers 2-1 Gusii FC

FC Talanta 1-1 Coast Stima

Migori Youth 1-2 Vihiga Bullets