Mara Sugar FC pour frustrations of losing to Leopards on Shabana FC in Wednesday action
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Reading Time: 4min | Wed. 13.05.26. | 16:36
The sugar millers went into the clash on the back of a painful 2-1 defeat to AFC Leopards, a result that halted their fine run
Mara Sugar stunned Shabana FC 1-0 in one of the two rescheduled FKF Premier League matches played on Wednesday afternoon at Awendo Green Stadium.
Substitute Dennis Wafula emerged the hero for the hosts after netting deep into stoppage time to hand Mara the win and halt Shabana’s three-match unbeaten run.
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Heading into the encounter, Shabana were seeking to extend their impressive run and strengthen their push for a top-three finish, while Mara Sugar were looking to bounce back from their defeat to AFC Leopards.
The match began cautiously, with both sides taking time to settle into rhythm in a tense opening spell.
Shabana carved out the first meaningful chance inside the opening ten minutes when Danson Kiprono delivered a well-weighted pass into the path of Derrick Otieno, but the midfielder dragged his effort inches wide.
Mara responded just before the quarter-hour mark through Harun Thomas.
The former KCB FC midfielder surged through the middle after collecting Jimmy Owili’s long ball, only for his attempted lob to drift narrowly off target.
Shabana continued to threaten moments later when Kevin Musamali’s long throw found Wycliffe Omondi, but the defender’s towering header skimmed over the crossbar.
The visitors again came close shortly afterwards as Senegalese winger Pape Diallo powered above Mara defenders to meet Humphrey Obina’s pinpoint delivery, though his header sailed over the bar.
The hosts gradually grew into the contest and nearly grabbed the opener through Brian Ochieng.
Owilii's teasing in-swinger found Ochieng, who cleverly laid the ball into the path of Alex Imbusia, but the former Kakamega Homeboyz attacker failed to control cleanly as the ball rolled away from danger.
Mara should have taken the lead in the 20th minute when Dennis Cheruiyot found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Stephen Ochieng after connecting with Imbusia’s inviting cross.
However, his effort rattled the crossbar to the relief of the travelling Shabana supporters.
At the half-hour mark, Imbusia again threatened for the hosts after meeting Aineah Ndete’s delivery with a diving header, but his attempt flashed narrowly wide.
Shabana almost broke the deadlock six minutes before halftime when Kiprono unleashed a fierce strike from close range near the edge of the box, only for Robinson Musungu to throw himself in the way with a crucial block.
Mara then came agonisingly close to scoring on the stroke of halftime.
Joseph Okwenda’s quick throw-in released Imbusia, who brilliantly spun past his marker before firing a powerful shot that goalkeeper Ochieng parried back into play.
Unfortunately for the hosts, no Mara player was on hand to tap home as the sides headed into the break level.
Both coaches shuffled their packs after the restart in search of a breakthrough.
Mara introduced Lankas Lenana for Brian Ochieng, while Shabana made a triple substitution, bringing on Derrick Oketch, Justin Munika and Victor Otieno for George Onyango, Derrick Otieno and Assis Batshi, respectively.
The visitors started the second half brightly and nearly struck ten minutes after the restart when Kiprono combined well with Musamali before volleying narrowly off target.
Mara responded through substitute Lenana, who latched onto Thomas’ through ball before seeing his powerful effort blocked by Omondi.
Shabana then produced their best spell of the match just after the hour mark.
Victor Otieno reacted quickest to a loose ball outside the area and curled a dangerous effort that forced the goalkeeper Joseph Ogenda into a full-stretch save.
Kevin Omundi pounced on the rebound with a fierce low drive, but Ogenda reacted superbly again to complete a stunning double save.
Moments later, Byron Otieno threaded a superb pass through midfield to release Omundi, who danced past defenders before once again being denied by the impressive Ogenda.
Mara nearly punished the visitors against the run of play when Imbusia controlled Owili’s delivery superbly before gliding past his marker and firing inches wide with his weaker foot.
With 15 minutes remaining, the hosts threatened again from a set piece as Owili’s corner found Musungu, whose powerful header forced another brilliant save from Ochieng.
The closing stages saw both sides launch wave after wave of attacks.
Mara threatened through Drona Openda and Okwenda, while Shabana pushed forward via Byron, Brian Bett and Derrick Oketch, but both defences held firm as the clock ticked into stoppage time.
Just when the match appeared destined for a draw, Mara Sugar found the decisive breakthrough in the 94th minute.
Shabana failed to deal with a loose ball inside the box, and substitute Wafula reacted quickest, calmly slotting home to spark wild celebrations among the home fans.
The victory lifted Mara Sugar FC to ninth place on 43 points, while Shabana remained fifth on 48 points after seeing their three-match unbeaten run come to an end.