Posta Rangers stamp authority over hapless Shabana with first half blitz in Machakos

© Shabana FC.

FOOTBALL Posta Rangers stamp authority over hapless Shabana with first half blitz in Machakos

Joel Omotto 15:00 - 25.11.2023

Posta Rangers returned to winning ways in style as they put Shabana to the sword with three first half goals that Tore Bobe had no answers for at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos

Posta Rangers put an end to their three-game winless run following a 3-1 victory over Shabana FC at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Saturday.

John Kamau’s men had recorded three straight draws prior to Saturday’s encounter and even though it did not affect their top position on the table, it had seen Gor Mahia and Murang’a Seal close in to just a point.

However, Kamau seems to have used the two-week international break to good effect as his team got off the blocks first with Felix Oluoch giving them a five-minute lead.

The lead, however, lasted just five minutes as Eugene Mukangula equalised for Shabana in the 10th minute.

That goal rattled Posta Rangers and they upped the ante with a barrage of attacks on Shabana’s goal. They got their reward when Brian Otieno hammered home an 18th minute thunderbolt.

Things turned from bad to worse for Shabana as confusion in the defence saw goalkeeper Eric Ongiri fumble with a back pass with the ball going it his own net for an own goal and Posta Rangers’ third.

With the heavy rains in Machakos making the pitch soggy, Rangers reduced the tempo of the game in a bid to hold onto their advantage and never gave Shabana a sniff.

The mailmen were not troubled in the second half as they walked away with all three points which see them maintain top spot on 25 points, four ahead of second-placed Gor Mahia, who play away to Muhoroni Youth on Sunday.

Shabana, meanwhile, remain in 14th position with 10 points in what was interim coach Oscar Kambona’s second match since replacing his former boss Sammy Okoth just before the international break.

Kambona had started with a 2-1 win over Nzoia Sugar but Posta Rangers proved too hot to handle in Machakos.