Shabana tighten title chase as survival battles heat up

Shabana FC continue their pursuit of the league’s top spots with a tricky away trip to mid-table Mathare United, carrying formidable momentum after winning their last four matches.

That run has propelled them firmly into the title conversation alongside AFC Leopards and leaders Gor Mahia.

Victory in Mathare would see Shabana close to within six points of Gor Mahia and move level with AFC Leopards on 40 points, ahead of Ingwe’s clash with KCB. For Mathare United, three points would lift their tally to 29 and potentially draw them level with KCB in eighth place.

Elsewhere, Nairobi United will be aiming to sustain their resurgence when they host high-flying Bandari, fresh from a commanding 3–0 win over Bidco. A positive result would see Nairobi United move level with Bandari on 31 points, while a Bandari victory could propel the Dockers up to fifth, depending on other results.

Murang'a Seal will be seeking a quick response after a narrow 3–2 defeat to Bandari as they travel to Wang’uru Stadium to face Tusker, who themselves are recovering from a 1–0 loss to Shabana. Murang’a Seal striker “King” Joe Waithera will be keen to extend his scoring streak, while Tusker head coach Julien Mette hunts for his first win since taking charge.

A Murang’a Seal victory would see them leapfrog Kakamega Homeboyz into fourth, while a Tusker win would draw them level on 31 points with champions Kenya Police in seventh.

Thursday’s fixtures offer another pivotal moment in the title race as AFC Leopards travel to KCB. Ingwe come into the match buoyed by a 2–1 win over Posta Rangers, while KCB are looking to rebound from a heavy 3–0 defeat to Gor Mahia.

A win for AFC Leopards would move them to 43 points, just three adrift of the summit, whereas a KCB victory could see the Bankers rise to 31 points and potentially sixth place.

At the lower end of the table, struggling Sofapaka host Kenya Police in a crucial survival encounter. Sofapaka are desperate for points to escape the drop zone, while the defending champions seek consistency after slipping to seventh, a full 15 points behind the leaders.

A Kenya Police win could lift them as high as fourth on 34 points, while Sofapaka would edge to 17 points—just two shy of safety—with a rare victory.

Relegation-threatened Ulinzi Stars welcome Kakamega Homeboyz, aiming for their first league win of the year. Homeboyz, unbeaten in five matches, are pushing for a top-three finish and could climb to third on 37 points with a win, depending on Shabana’s result.

For Ulinzi, three points could see them end the matchday in 14th with 21 points.

The survival battle continues in Bomet, where APS Bomet host Kariobangi Sharks in a direct relegation scrap. Both sides sit on 19 points, and victory for either could create crucial breathing room above the drop zone—especially if Ulinzi Stars fail to collect points.