Shabana FC's James Mazembe dribbles away from Bandari's Hassan Abdalla during their Kenyan Premier League match at Gusii stadium/SHABANA 
Shabana FC climbed to third place on the Kenyan Premier League table after edging Bandari FC 1–0 at Gusii Stadium on Sunday, continuing Tore Bobe’s steady rise among the league’s frontrunners.
Brian Michira’s calmly taken 28th-minute penalty proved decisive in a contest defined more by control and discipline than attacking flair.
The victory lifted Shabana into the top three, while Bandari slipped to 10th place on 27 points, their search for consistency continuing.
Shabana approached the match cautiously, mindful of Bandari’s physicality and experience. The breakthrough came when a late challenge inside the area handed Michira the chance from the spot, which he converted confidently.
Head coach Peter Okidi said the plan was to manage the game rather than chase it recklessly.
“We knew Bandari would not give us space, so patience was key,” Okidi said. “The idea was to stay organised and wait for the right moment.”
Okidi played down the significance of the penalty itself, focusing instead on his side’s composure after taking the lead.
“Penalties are part of the game. Brian took responsibility and did his job,” he said. “What pleased me most was how we handled the rest of the match. After scoring, we didn’t panic.”
Shabana defended compactly as Bandari pushed forward, with Okidi praising the collective effort.
“We defended as a unit,” he noted. “Everyone understood their role, especially when Bandari increased the pressure.”
Despite the climb into the top three, Okidi urged caution.
“The table looks good, but it doesn’t mean much at this stage,” he said. “There are many games to go, and we didn’t get here overnight. It’s been about small improvements every week.”
Bandari head coach Bernard Mwalala was left frustrated, describing the defeat as self-inflicted.
“We lost the game because of a moment of poor judgment,” Mwalala said. “The penalty was unnecessary.”
He felt the contest was evenly balanced but admitted his side lacked sharpness in the final third.
“I don’t think there was a big gap between the teams,” he said. “We got into decent positions, but the final pass was missing. Pressure alone doesn’t win matches.”
Mwalala also acknowledged Bandari’s inconsistency this season.
“Being 10th is not where we want to be,” he said. “One week we look solid, the next we struggle. Details are costing us.”
Elsewhere, bottom-placed Kariobangi Sharks boosted their survival hopes with a surprise 1–0 victory over Ulinzi Stars at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
Humphrey Aroko scored the decisive goal in the 40th minute after capitalising on a defensive lapse, before Sharks defended resolutely in the second half.
Sharks head coach William Muluya described the win as timely.
“We needed this result. The players have been under pressure,” Muluya said. “It wasn’t perfect, but the effort and discipline were there.”
Ulinzi Stars coach Stephen Ocholla admitted his side struggled to break down Sharks’ defence.
“We had the ball but didn’t do enough with it,” Ocholla said. “Conceding before halftime hurt us.”
Shabana’s move into the top three adds fresh intrigue to the title race, while Bandari remain stuck in mid-table. At the bottom, Sharks’ victory keeps the relegation battle tight and alive.