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Eliud Owalo motivates Shabana with Sh500,000 ahead of Leopards clash

By Cecil Odongo September 29th, 2023 2 min read

Cabinet Secretary for ICT, Eliud Owalo, has boosted the morale of Kenyan Premier League newcomers, Shabana FC, ahead of their clash with AFC Leopards on Sunday.

Mr Owalo donated Sh500,000 to the team on Friday when he hosted them for a luncheon at Emara Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi.

The CS encouraged Shabana players to put behind them their poor start to the season and strive to improve their performance in the league.

“You must win Sunday’s match for all the good reasons. As a motivation ahead of Sunday’s match, I have Sh300,000 for players as match-winning bonuses and Sh200,000 for Shabana legends. You must go back to Gusii with three points,” said Owalo

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Owalo vouched for Shabana to finish among the top teams in the league this season and pick their first win on Sunday.

“Shabana is part of Kenyan football history and the future of Kenyan football lies in the community clubs from a historical perspective. It was not easy to get a point at Gusii in those days when Shabana was doing well. Don’t just be participants in the league but you must fight to be among the top teams this season,” Owalo said.

Owalo, who has been at the forefront in supporting local teams, also awarded the team 40 sets of brand new tracksuits in an event attended by Shabana legends led by Henry Motego and professionals from Gusii region led by Mohamed Nyaoga.

Nyaoga also made a pledge of Sh500,000 to the club with another Sh50,000 which was donated by the professional being channeled to the team’s management.

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Owalo offered to join hands with professionals and Gusii political leaders in pooling resources in support of the club while also sourcing for more sponsorship for the team. Shabana is currently sponsored by gaming firm Bangbet.

“Kenya will be hosting the 2027 African Cup of Nations and I want Shabana players to form part of Harambee Stars squad. You should also take football as a profession because gone are the days when studying up to university level would guarantee you a job,” Owalo said.

Shabana has only amassed two points since their return to the topflight league after 17 years in the cold and will be under pressure to beat Leopards who have equally been struggling.

The match between Shabana and Leopards will be played at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata Barracks in Nairobi.

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