AFC Leopards and Shabana FC draw highlights rising tensions and title hopes

In a fiercely contested match at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, AFC Leopards and Shabana FC battled to a thrilling 1-1 draw on Sunday. The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League clash underscored the growing rivalry between the two teams and left fans on the edge of their seats.

Match recap and key moments

The game began with Shabana FC taking the lead in the 19th minute as Kevin Omundi capitalized on a deflected free-kick. AFC Leopards, however, fought back and equalized just before halftime with Ovella Ochieng slotting home a well-delivered assist from Clifton Miheso.

The second half was marked by high tension and an electric atmosphere as fans from both sides passionately backed their teams. Despite several attempt by both teams, neither could break the deadlock, leading to a share of the spoils.

Mid-game, tensions among the fans rose so high that police intervention became necessary after some AFC Leopards supporters clashed with Shabana fans. In separate incidents, the crowd issues required security forces to clear sections of the stands for safety.

Fans’a and officials’reactions

Following the match, AFC Leopards midfielder Kayci Odhiambo remained hopeful about their title chances, despite remaining nine points behind league leaders Police FC. Odhiambo confidently stated, “We are not giving up. Nine points are just three games, so it is still mathematically possible to win this title.”

Shabana’s head coach Peter Okidi expressed frustrations over fan-related distractions affecting his team’s performance, citing these as a reason for their failure to secure all three points. Meanwhile, AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani criticized the poor state of the Machakos Stadium pitch, arguing that better facilities are crucial for teams to perform. “These are things the federation should look into,” Ambani noted.

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Rivalry and future encounters

This draw means that AFC Leopards have yet to overcome Shabana in four league outings since the former’s promotion back to the top flight in 2023. Despite this record, Odhiambo showed optimism, declaring, “We will catch them. They always find a way to get past us, but I know we will overcome them sooner or later.”

The clash between these two teams continues to grow in intensity, potentially setting the stage for an even greater rivalry in the future, possibly on par with the celebrated Mashemeji Derby between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia.

The anticipation for their next meeting is already building among fans and analysts alike, highlighting the vibrant nature of the Kenyan Premier League.