Shabana FC’s continental dream dashed after painful FKF Cup exit
By Luke Oluoch, May 2, 2026Shabana FC’s push for maiden top-flight silverware since returning to the top tier came to an end as the Glamour Boys suffered a 1-0 loss to Kenya Police to bow out of the competition at the semifinal stage.
Tore Bobe’s defeat was sealed courtesy of Abud Omar’s sublime free-kick strike in the first half on the muddy playing surface of the Gusii Stadium on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
The clash pitting the two FKF PL rivals was touted as the favourites among the last standings in the quarterfinals stage, and it was Nicholas Muyoti who lived up to the tag to eliminate the Gusii club.
Financial incentive
The defeat hit home with its own implication for the team co-coached by Mark Ongwae and Osborne Monday, which not only lost the opportunity to represent Kenya on the continental stage in the CAF interclub competition, the CAF Confederation Cup.
In addition to missing out on the financial reward of Ksh3 million that awaits the edition winner, the third- and fourth-place prize money of Ksh1.5 million and Ksh 1 million, respectively, has also eluded the club after failing just before the money stage.
Meanwhile, the competition search for the premier cup knockout competition winner next sees Bandari FC meet up against Eldoret-based Mfalme FC.
Last four
Another clash will see Ulinzi Stars face off against Tusker FC at Ulinzi Sports Complex, while KCB will be up against Nairobi United, the competition holders.
Speaking after the clash, coach Muyoti remained grounded and magnanimous, acknowledging that the real challenge lies ahead as they enter the competition’s money bracket in the last four.
“We are now heading into the next stage, knowing the work is far from done. We have the other teams like Mfalme FC, who bundled out Muranga Seal and other formidable teams that we cannot underrate, so we will remain alert even as we proceed,” he stated.
In the previous round, Police eliminated preliminary rounds giant-killers BB Bread, who had knocked out the country’s football giants, AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia, in the Round of 64 and 32 phases.