Shabana FC forward turned-defender James Mazembe has blamed the Mombasa weather for his side’s stalemate with Bandari FC.The Glamour Boys visited the coastal city of Mombasa for an FKF Premier League match on Sunday 19 January at KPA Sports Club, Mbaraki with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.Gor Mahia winger backs ‘Zico’ to guide K’Ogalo to 22nd league titleOn-form Brian Michira gave Shabana the lead inside the first minute of the match as the Kisii-based outfit started the encounter on a high.Bandari however grew into the match and got their reward through Kenya international Mohammed Siraj who equalized in the 70th minute to ensure the spoils were shared.##NAJAVA_MECA_8641731##Mazembe who has been deployed at left back in recent times welcomed the single point while blaming the coastal weather for failing to walk home with all the three points.“The match was very tough. Bandari were the better side towards the end of the first half and the second half but I’m glad we got a point from it.Anthony Akumu’s advice to Harambee Stars players ahead of CHANThe weather was not on our side. It was too hot and windy, which we are not used to and that played a part in the drop in performance,” said Mazembe in an interview with Kangwana Media.The Peter Okidi-coached side is not the first team to have fallen victim to the Mombasa weather. Most sides outside the coastal region find it difficult to cope with the low altitude, high humidity, heat and travel fatigue from the long journey which works in Bandari’s favour.##NAJAVA_MECA_8641736##The Kenya international also appreciated the Shabana fans who filled Mbaraki, promising them good tidings in their next league match.“Fans should expect a lot from us. I know they are proud of us and I want to tell them to expect a much better performance from us against Sofapaka,” he stated.Bob Munro: The man who fought match-fixing with a broken cameraShabana are sixth in the league table with 24 points, the same as their next opponents Sofapaka who are fifth due to a superior goal difference ahead of their clash set for Sunday 26 January.
