Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Former Gor Mahia defender Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo has vowed to keep Shabana in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League for next season after starting his reign with an emphatic 5-2 victory against Nzoia Sugar at Sudi Stadium on Sunday.

A hat-trick from man of the match Justine Omwando and a brace courtesy of new signing Mathew Tegisi ensured that Omollo guided Tore Bobe to their fourth victory of the campaign and revived their hopes of avoiding relegation at the end of the season.

Omollo, who came in as a permanent coach to replace Sammy Okoth, who was fired on matchday 11 owing to a string of poor results, is confident the Kisii-based Glamour Boys will keep their status in the top-flight.

“It is a good start, any coach would love to win his first match in charge of any team, but what makes me even happier is the fact we did it in style, the boys played well and according to instructions, we dominated proceedings, especially in the second half and that is the kind of game I want to see going forward,” said Omollo after the game.

“We have just started the second round, we have 16 matches to go, we want to win our matches, we want to do everything and safeguard the status of Shabana, we want to do it for the fans, I am happy for the way they have received me, they (Shabana) don’t deserve to go down, and it is the reason we will fight every way to stay up.”

The victory saw Shabana move above Sofapaka to position 16, two places above the relegation zone with 17 points. Meanwhile, Sofapaka suffered a 3-1 defeat against Tusker, their eleventh defeat of the campaign, to remain in position 17.

After a 0-0 draw in the first half, the Brewers came back a more rejuvenated side for the second period and they scored two quick goals courtesy of Levin Joseph and Fabian Adikiny before Erik Kapaito slotted home the third to silence Batoto ba Mungu, who grabbed a consolation courtesy of Keegan Ndemi.

While Sofapaka are fighting relegation, Tusker’s run of five straight victories has seen them jump to third position with 31 points, nine fewer than leaders Gor Mahia. Nairobi City Stars’ is another team enjoying a good run of form after they dispatched Posta Rangers 1-0 to keep their second spot on 33 points.

The victory against the Mailmen was the seventh in a row for Simba wa Nairobi under Nicholas Muyoti. They have now won 10 matches, drawn three and lost five. In Muhoroni, AFC Leopards continued with their upward surge after registering a 1-0 victory against Muhoroni Youth.

Ingwe have moved to 12th position with 21 points, and it was their fourth victory of the season, having drawn nine and lost five. Meanwhile, Kenya Police laboured to a 1-0 win against Bidco United, Ulinzi Stars settled for a 0-0 draw against KCB, while FC Talanta edged out Murang’a Seal 1-0 away.