Shabana FC handed Tusker FC and their newly appointed coach Julien Mette a 1-0 defeat in an FKF Premier League match played at Gusii Stadium on Saturday.
A Thomas Teka own goal in the 38th minute proved decisive, earning the home side maximum points in front of a lively crowd that rallied behind them throughout the contest.
The result marked Mette’s first loss since taking charge of the Brewers. The French tactician had joined Tusker alongside his assistant Anthony Kimani on the eve of the clash, following the departure of long-serving coach Charles Okere, who had been with the Ruaraka-based club for eight years.
Speaking after the match, Mette conceded that the defeat effectively ended Tusker’s hopes of mounting a serious title challenge this season.
“I am impressed with the performance of my players despite the loss. This defeat means that we are now completely out of the race for the title. My attention will shift towards winning the Mozzart Bet Cup before we can take a stab at the league next season,” he said.
Despite enjoying spells of possession, Tusker struggled to break down Shabana’s disciplined defense, with the hosts maintaining their narrow lead until the final whistle.
Shabana coach Peter Okidi lauded his players for their determination and collective effort, terming the victory a significant boost in their campaign.
“We have collected maximum points following a collective team performance. We will continue treating every match with the seriousness it deserves as we push forward,” Okidi said.
The win sees Shabana climb to third place on the league table with 37 points, strengthening their position in the title race. Tusker, on the other hand, slipped from eighth to tenth place with 28 points following the setback.
By Mercy Osongo
