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Mara Sugar edged Shabana in a tightly contested FKF Premier League match, dealing a blow to the hosts' title ambitions.
Shabana's hopes of winning their maiden FKF Premier League title took a blow after they were beaten 1-0 by Mara Sugar on Sunday afternoon at the Gusii Stadium.
An own goal in the 41st minute, following a delivery by Cyrus Oucho that was deflected into the net settled the contest in Kisii as Mara Sugar halted Shabana’s push for a top-two finish and dented their chances of keeping pace with league leaders Kenya Police.
Shabana needed victory to move second and close the gap to just three points behind the table-topping Kenya Police.
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Meanwhile, Mara Sugar were looking to bounce back from recent poor form and delivered a spirited performance to get back to winning ways.
The hosts made the better start in front of their vocal home support and forced two early corners, the second of which led to their first real chance on six minutes when James Mazembe steered a header inches wide of the right post from close range.
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The visitors threatened for the first time on the quarter-hour mark via a tame long-range effort from Dennis Cheruiyot that drew a routine save out of Maxwell Muchesia.
Muchesia was called into action five minutes later to deny Bonface Otieno Odhiambo from inside the area after he got on the end of Reuben Okoth’s cross, while at the other end, Justine Nyangwara linked up well with Keith Imbali, who fired straight at Brian Ochieng from inside the box on the left in the 25th minute.
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Imbali tested Ochieng again on 36 minutes, this time with a strike from range before Muchesia pulled off a superb save to keep out Vincent Mulama from inside the area, breathing a sigh of relief when Fredrick Ngiela blazed wide on the rebound.
The first half ended with Austine Odongo shooting over the crossbar on 45 minutes after bringing Brian Marvin’s delivery under control inside the box.
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Oscar Juma was just a whisker away from giving Shabana an equalizer on 57 minutes when he connected with Mazembe’s cross to direct a header narrowly beyond the left post, and Odhiambo forced Muchesia into a save four minutes later with a strike from inside the area on the left.
Mara Sugar nearly silenced the home crowd on 68 minutes when Bonface Otieno dangerous delivery was almost turned into their own net by a Shabana defender under pressure, capitalizing on a swift counterattack.
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Thomas Harun looked to turn provider five minutes later when he crossed for Mulama, who could only head the ball wide of the left post.
The Kisii-based side attempted to rally, but the best they could muster in the closing stages was half chances that never truly troubled the Mara Sugar defense
How they lined up:
Shabana: Maxwell Muchesia (GK), George Onyango (C), Oscar Juma, Mark Oduor, Byran Migiro, Justine Nyangwara, James Mazembe, Keith Imbali, Austine Odongo, Darius Mnyambo, Brian Marvin
Mara Sugar: Brian Ochieng (GK), David Mwiti Owino (C), Evans Omondi Ouma, Iameck Omondi, Fredrick Ngiela, Joseph Okwenda, Reuben Okoth, Dennis Cheruiyot, Thomas Harun, Vincent Mulama, Bonface Otieno Odhiambo
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