Shabana patron Sam Nyamweya lauds team after Tusker win, plans fundraiser
Shabana FC patron Sam Nyamweya has lauded the team for posting its first win in the 2023/2024 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League season.
Shabana overcame a difficult start to the league season in the top-flight by defeating bigwigs Tusker 1-0 in an entertaining clash at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on October 6, 2023.
And Nyamweya, who previously served as FKF president between 2011 and 2016, explained he will go all out to mobilise funds that will be used to motivate the players.
“I am not only impressed with the win, but also by the performance of individual players. I believe the squad is now getting used to competing in the league,” said Nyamweya in an interview with Nairobi News.
“Our focus now goes to supplementing Shabana to be financially sound through a fundraiser that my committee is organizing. I would like to thank our fans, players, technical team and leadership for the dedication and support they have show to the team.”
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Against Tusker, which is managed by coach Robert Matano, Shabana were arguably the better team during the 90 minutes and came close to breaking the deadlock in the 30th minute with a long-range strike, but Tusker’s goalkeeper, Brian Bwire, pulled out a great save.
Visiting Shabana maintained their strong start in the second half, once again forcing a point-blank save from Bwire. Their persistence finally paid off when Rodgers Aloro delivered a free-kick that Vincent Nyabuto slotted into the back of the net, granting the visitors a 70th-minute winner.
The result was a big boost to Shabana coach Sammy Okoth who was increasingly facing pressure after his team, which was promoted to the top-flight at the start of the season, went for five matches without posting a win.
“Initially we were bogged down by a lack of experience at the top level which is why for long spells we conceeded goals in the final stages of the match. I am optimistic this win will aid the boys to believe in themselves and be more ambitious to play without much pressure especially in the decision making aspects,” said the coach.
Shabana has taken the Premier league by storm, and are considered among the popular sides, thanks to a huge part to their impressive fans who follow and cheer the team across the country.