Just who will have the last laugh?This is the big question as fourth-placed Shabana FC host reigning champions and third-placed Gor Mahia in a high-stakes Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) match at Gusii Stadium in Kisii County from 2pm today.
Throughout the week, fans of both teams have been engaging in soft banter online as to who will win the highly-anticipated clash. The winner of the match will increase their title chances in the closely contested league.
Yesterday, Tusker failed to leapfrog Kenya Police at the top of the standings after drawing 0-0 with AFC Leopards at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. While both teams have amassed 52 points, Police are ranked top, thanks to a superior goal difference.
Gor, nicknamed ‘K’Ogalo’ are ranked third in the standings with 50 points, four points more than fourth-placed Shabana, fondly known as ‘Glamour Boys’.
‘We’ll close stadium roof’
While making references to the Uefa Champions League quarter-final match in which Spanish giants Real Madrid closed the roof of the Santiago Bernabéu while hosting England’s Arsenal, some Shabana fans have jokingly claimed that they will ‘close the roof’ of Gusii Stadium when they face ‘K’Ogalo’.
However, this is impossible as the 12,000-capacity stadium has no roof. Shabana fans have made Gusii Stadium their fortress and often fill the venue to capacity during matches. The venue of the match has been a bone of contention between the two team’s vocal supporters due to the small capacity of Gusii Stadium.
A proposal by Gor’s fans to have the match relocated to a bigger venue that is capable of handling high-risk fixtures was met with a lot of resistance by their Shabana counterparts. In fact, some Shabana supporters even threatened to boycott the match if it is not staged at Gusii Stadium.
To avoid chaos during the match, Shabana yesterday announced on X that a contingent of General Service Unit officers will be deployed between the two stands to separate the rival fans.
To avoid congestion at the gates, the Kisii-based side has urged supporters to come early at the stadium, stating that the gates will open at 8:30 am and close at 12:30pm.
Only those with valid tickets will be granted access to the venue. VVIP tickets have been retailing at Sh 3000 while VIP and regular ones have been selling at Sh1000 and Sh300 respectively.
“Be your brother’s keeper. Throwing objects into the field of play is highly prohibited. Maintain law and order,” rallied Shabana via their X account on Friday.
Fireworks are expected in the clash as both teams will not only be seeking to boost their title chances with a win but also claim the bragging rights in the match that some supporters have dubbed the ‘Nyanza derby.’
Since their promotion to the FKF-PL in 2023, Shabana have not defeated Gor in their three meetings. Gor registered an identical 1-0 win in the 2023/24 campaign while both teams drew1-1 in the leg of this season held on December 11 last year.
Despite this record, ‘K’Ogalo’ will have no room for complacency since the ‘Glamour Boys’ have been impressive this year.
The hosts are on an eight-match unbeaten run in the FKF-PL having last lost 2-0 to Posta Rangers in February.
Shabana have won their last four league matches, defeating Nairobi City Stars (2-0), FC Talanta (4-2), Bandari (3-1) and Murang’a Seal (3-0). “II want to assure our fans that we will win all the remaining six matches. God willing, we will win this title,” said Shabana’s forward Darius Msagha after their win over City Stars last weekend.
Gor bounced back to winning ways in the league with a 4-2 victory over Mara Sugar last weekend. Previously, K’Ogalo lost 1- 0 to Talanta and drew 1-1 with Sofapaka. “Shabana match is a critical fixture for us and we shall give it our all but the federation should look at the congestion in our fixture since we are also fighting for the Mozzart Bet and FKF-PL title,” said Gor Mahia coach Sinisa Mihic.
