Year-In-Review: Shabana daring to dream after surviving relegation

Shabana FC will end the year 2024 sitting ninth on the FKF-Premier League log with 20 points after 15 outings in the 2024-25 season, a feat that marks a stark turnaround in fortunes for the team after narrowly surviving relegation at the beginning of the year.

After a slow start to the 2023-24 season, Shabana parted company with their legendary coach and former player Sammy Okoth who played a leading role in their return to the FKF-Premier League after a near-two-decade hiatus.

Okoth paved way for former Gor Mahia and Kenyan international Sammy Omollo “Pamzo” to engineer their survival bid, despite their prospects appearing increasingly bleak.

While acknowledging the daunting task that awaited him, the seasoned tactician who also led Posta Rangers in the past underscored the need for the team to establish a playing identity, a feat he thought to be the elixir of sustainable long-term success.

“Firstly, we need to find a solution that will help the club maintain its topflight status and after that we will work on our identity as we eye sustainable excellence in the future,” said an upbeat Pamzo during his unveiling.

After an indifferent start to his tenure, Pamzo orchestrated three straight wins in their last three fixtures of the season against AFC Leopards, Bidco United and Murang’a Seal to end their season ranked 14th with 38 points, two above the relegation zone.

While their rookie status played a part in their struggles on their return, the renovation works at the Gusii Stadium kept the club away from their home turf, a blow that deprived them of their cult following.

Both Okoth and Omollo recounted the immense role the club’s 12th man played in propelling the club to reacquire topflight status after 17 years in the cold.

“Playing our home games in Homa Bay has locked a majority of our fans from attending matches. As a result, we miss their support both emotionally and physically,” said Okoth while reflecting on their early season travails.

“Our fans are our biggest motivation and playing home games away from Gusii is a big blow for those who can’t make it to Homa Bay.

While reviewing their season struggles, Pamzo cited the team’s lack of a proper preseason as a serious handicap that curtailed their ability to impress at the biggest stage, despite the verge that typified their promotion from the National Super League (NSL) as champions.

“While much of the criticism was directed at the coach and the players, lack of a proper preseason means the team was not fully prepared to take on opponents in a league that is very unforgiving.”

With lessons from their first season playing a central role in their retooling, Shabana roped in key players that could mend their weaknesses early enough and embarked on through preparations for the 2024-25 season.

Despite the excellent build up, they again bumped into a déjà vu with an indifferent start seeing the club endure a winless streak through their opening six matches of the campaign.

Peter Okidi then replaced Pamzo as the Head Coach and the Glamour Boys set out on an exciting journey that saw them win five, draw two and lose two games in a run that has helped them end 2024 ranked ninth on the log.

Okidi who joined Shabana from FKF Division One side Nakuru with little fanfare seems to have found the answer for the club’s performance woes, with the side looking impeccable with a blend of a stifling defensive set up and crisp attacking, capped with swagger and verve of ambitiously well drilled charges.

However, with the recent departure of talisman Matthew Tegisi who joined Tanzania Premier League outfit Pamba Jiji, Shabana will have to fill his gap promptly to sustain their momentum.

Okidi has the ambition of turning the club into a gargantuan perennial challenger, which makes the Shabana faithful to look forward to an eventful second leg of the season as they aim to close in on the top four.