Sickly Shabana wriggling on life support machine
For a team that prides itself for having the third largest following in Kenya, Shabana FC can be described as a giant that never realised its potential.
Established in 1980 by Kisii-based businessman Dogo Khan, Shabana was home to some of Kenya’s greatest players such as Henry ‘The Elephant’ Motego, Henry Nyandoro, goalkeeper-turned-striker Mike Okoth, Richard Otambo, Salim Mabruk, Hussein Omar ‘Tigana’, Peter ‘Kasskass’ Kamau, Kisco Kariuki, Alfred ‘Fwaya’ Oloo ‘Fwaya’, Sammy Simiyu, Sylvester Mageni, Evans Ombuna who formed some of the best national team squads the country has ever produced.
But unlike the other two community clubs, Gor Mahia (18 titles) and AFC Leopards (12 titles), Shabana have nothing to show for their history as after brilliant displays in the 80s and 90s, they have been flirting with relegation from one division to the other since the turn of the millennium.
Tore Bobe, as they are commonly known, last tasted Premier League football in 2006 and since then, their diehard fans have been taken through a roller-coaster of emotions as they have watched their team get close to returning to KPL and even sink deeper into the third tier Division One.
Most of the 14 years since their relegation from the KPL has been spent in the second tier National Super League (NSL) and that is where they currently find themselves.
Before the coronavirus pandemic brought a halt to all sporting activities in the country last month, Shabana were 10th on the 19-team league table with a paltry 35 points from 27 matches after 10 wins, five draws and 12 losses.
That is a massive 29 points behind NSL leaders Nairobi City Stars, meaning they are already out of contention for a promotion place.
So when did the rain start beating them? Ex-coaches, players and fans believe mismanagement and selfishness from past and present leaders are to blame for the free-fall Tore Bobe has experienced.
They believe leaders without a vision are the reason the club has struggled to attract sponsors and top players, leading them to live a hand-to-mouth life as they rely on well-wishers, contributions from fans and singular funding from club chairman Jared Nivaton.
“Shabana needs to be in KPL like yesterday, but poor management. When you can’t afford to pay players, you should not expect miracles. Proper planning before the start of the season is key.
Management should look for ways of raising resources if they can’t secure a sponsor then bring in quality signings, provide adequate training equipment and ensure smooth training,” advised Andrew-Rix Kanuli, the most recent successful coach Shabana had.
Reflecting on how he managed to turn around the fortunes of the team in 2018 and guided them to promotion from Division One to NSL with meagre resources, Kanuli said he had to work some magic.
“My achievement of gaining promotion to NSL was not easy. I didn’t go for big signings because obviously we did not have the resources.
I relied heavily on the experience of Wycliffe Nyangechi, Bob Mugalia, Daniel Murage, Oscar Oketch, Nixon Amulundu and Dennis Ongeri all of whom were former KPL players and blended them with the other players to ensure we gained promotion,” added the coach, who handled the team between January 2017 and 2018 December before being cast way unceremoniously after securing promotion.
Nick Migosi, who was Shabana team manager between 2013 and 2018, agreed with Kanuli.
“Shabana is a household name which by now could be playing in the Premier League. It’s just that some officials are selfish.
There are those who don’t have the team at heart, they are there to benefit while some have tainted images hence to get a sponsor is a big problem,” said Migosi.
“The solution for this team is simple. Start by registering members in all branches, then elections.
If we do this, it won’t take a season before Shabana gets a sponsor. Then get quality players and technical bench that has the team at heart. We also have raw talent in Kisii that is affordable.
If all these is done, we can get promotion in a season,” added Migosi, who is currently head coach Kiendege Jets FC, an FKF Division Two side based in Nyamira County.
Looking at Shabana now, it is hard to imagine they represented Kenya in the 1988 Africa Cup of Champion Clubs (now CAF Champions League). Only time will tell if they can return to such lofty heights again.
