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Five key Takeaways from FKF Premier league matchday 3, including Shabana's revival, and Sydney Lokale's brilliant start to life at AFC Leopards.
The second matchday of the 2024/2025 FKF Premier League season delivered a thrilling weekend of football, full of dramatic comebacks, individual brilliance, and tactical adjustments.
From Shabana FC's passionate supporters flocking back to stadiums to Mara Sugar's fairytale run, there’s much to unpack as the league takes shape. Below are the five main takeaways from the action-packed weekend.
1.Shabana fans start flocking the stadium again
Although they are yet replicate their massive turnout numbers from when they first got promoted back to the topflight after a 17-year absence, Shabana fans have started gradually flocking stadia for matches again.
A good number turned up to watch their second clash of the season against Shabana, and even though they the nature of how they conceded an equaliser at the very last minute of stoppage time would have been cruel and hard to take, they can be proud of the fight their team is showing.
Having gone a goal down early on in the game, Shabana made a dramatic turnaround, with both goals being netted by Mathew Tegisi, who headed in two bullet headers from set-piece situations, the first from a freekick he had won himself and the second from a corner.
They also showed flashes of being a potent attacking side in open play as well, with their twin strikers doing a good job of running wide with the ball to create room for late runners to try and attempt shots at goal. Given the feel good factor about having SportPesa as their new partners, as well as the signings they have made, Shabana look like a team on their way to becoming a more consistent set up.
2.Sydney Lokale is on fire
Two seasons ago, AFC Leopards were a side that were struggling to score goals from open play, with their chances mostly coming from set piece situations.
Since Tomas Trucha’s arrival at the club, that narrative has changed dramatically. They are now scoring goals for fun thanks to the pace their wingers Hassan Beja (who is soon set to move to Serbia) and Julius Masaba are bringing to the table, as well as the threat of Sydney Lokale and Arthur Gitego.
Lokale himself has now scored three league goals since arriving from DRC in the off season Having started from the bench, Leopards never looked like they would score at all, with Bidco United in their usual style frustrating them in Thika.
However, a moment of brilliance emerged when Ronald Sichenje whipped in a low left-footed cross into the box, before Sydney Lokale tapped it home having timed his run well to leave the visiting fans ecstatic.
Leopards fans are now confident they have all sorts of weapons to rely on for goals if target man Arthur Gitego fails to find the back of the net, and in Lokale, they have found a gem.
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07:00 - 23.09.2024
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga lays bare injury struggles ahead of pivotal double header against Cameroon
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has shared his thoughts ahead of Kenya's crucial AFCON qualifiers against Cameroon next month
3.Francis Kahiro is back like he never left for KCB
Eyebrows were raised when Francis Kahiro decided to make a sensational return to KCB just six months after quitting them to join Bandari mid season.
Known for his industrious ability to work hard for the team both on and off the ball, he is back like he never left, and his two goals in their 3-0 win over Posta Rangers were classic instinctive goals. Took full advantage of goalkeeping parries before pouncing on the rebound.
Flanked by Patrick Otieno and his good friend James Kinyanjui, he is clearly a man on a mission to make amends, and if he goes on in his journey, he is certain to achieve his target of making a breakthrough into the national team. For now, he can only focus on helping KCB achieve their targets.
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20:22 - 22.09.2024
Property vandalized, security officer beaten as chaos mark end to Ulinzi, Shabana clash
Chaos was witnessed at the end of an exciting match between Ulinzi Stars and Shabana after fans vandalized property and beat up a security officer over claims of biased officiating.
4.Tusker remain leaky at the back
For the second week in a row, Tusker relinquished a winning position, having led 2-0 only to draw 2-2 in the end.
After Ryan Ogam had put them two goals up by netting a fantastic break, they lost concentration and allowed Kakamega Homeboyz to get back into the game, with Hillary Otieno and Pius Wangi equalising for Abana Beingo.
Coach Charles Okere will certainly not be a happy man, and something has to give. Last week, he insisted on wanting everyone to work as a team, with the forwards helping in their defensive work. They clearly never learnt, and he will be asking himself all sorts of questions
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18:30 - 22.09.2024
FKFPL: Last-gasp Glen Wafula header breaks Shabana hearts as they share spoils with Ulinzi
Shabana thought they clawed back from an early setback to put Ulinzi Stars 2-1 thanks to two towering bullet headers from Matthew Tegisi, but Glen Wafula would restore parity in the last minute to salvage a draw.
5.Mara Sugar’s fairytale start continues
Mara Sugar continued on their dream start to their Premier League debut season as they beat City Stars 1-0 last Saturday.
Dennis Cheruiyot notched the winner for the sugar millers at the hour mark to earn their second win in three games.
Following the win, the George Midenyo-coached side have now climbed to third on the log with six points and four goals in three matches. They have a chance to extend their streak against the likes of Murang’a Seal, Shabana and Posta Rangers, but their early momentum will go a long way in helping them gather enough points to keep them up.
6.Mara Sugar’s fairytale start continues
Kariobangi Sharks are second in the league standings of seven points, having started the season brilliantly with their free-flowing, attacking football that has now seen them score six goals in three matches.
The first was a brilliant comeback in their 3-2 win over Tusker. The second, a comprehensive win over Murang’a Seal. Although Sharks always start brilliantly, William Muluya will be hoping his best players can stay injury free and be a unit, because player unavailability always ends up counting against his charges in the end, on top of their relative inexperience at the highest level.
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