Tore Bobe! We are back!
Shabana Football Club are indeed back. A sleeping giant who has been in slumber for the past 17 years rose from its ruins on Sunday after earning promotion back to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League.
Emotions run high after the final whistle of their National Super League (NSL) match against Migori Youth at Gusii Stadium as fans run up and down in joy, celebrating their rise back to topflight football alongside their players.
In Kisii town, thousands of fans donning the famous red jerseys, while carrying placards and twigs, danced to the traditional Abagusii celebration songs as they made everyone who cared to listen, know about the return of the dragon; Shabana FC.
Isaac Otieno was the local hero as his goal not only saw Shabana edge Migori Youth 1-0 but also lifted the Glamor Boys to the Premier League.
"It's been long guys. With the immense support showed to us by the community when we play both home and away, this promotion is a reward to all Shabana fans," Shabana coach Sammy Okoth said.
"The job is, however, not yet done because we want to win the NSL title now. We have an advantage over Muranga Seal, but we are going to take a game at a time."
Shabana legends led by former Harambee Stars star Elijah Onsika are now calling on the community and local governments of Nyamira and Kisii Counties to support the club especially when they begin a new life in the FKF Premier League.
Speaking to Standard Sports, Onsika believes Shabana can reclaim the gone old glory days if proper management, support and mentorship programs are offered to both the current and upcoming footballers who are in high schools and villages. "We thank God Shabana is back. It has been 17 years of heartache and heartbreak for the community but we are back. The players have done their job alongside coach Okoth and now it is the time for us the community to rise up and push them even further," he said.
"Topflight football needs money and not just a fully packed stadium. The team needs to be supported financially and I believe the two counties; Nyamira and Kisii can really help the team move forward," said Onsika, who coached Shabana in 2006.
The former Kisumu Posta captain also called on principals from Kisii School, Mosocho, Itiero, Nduru Boys, Matongo, among others, to support football since the players will have a direct ticket to the FKF Premier League with Shabana, after finishing high school.
Shabana is one of the former powerful clubs in the country but have spent their time in the lower tiers for the better part of the last two decades.
Having been one of the best feeder clubs to the national team Harambee Stars in the 1990s and 1980, Shabana have in the past revealed their pride for having the greatest players in the national team both in the early 90s and late 80s.
The club produced legends like Henry Motego, Richard Otambo, Salim Mabruk, the late Henry Nyandoro, Mike Okoth, Hussein Omar, Kisaco Kariuki, Evans Ombuna, Sylvester Mageni, Ramadhan Balala and Peter Kamau.
Under former chairman Dogo Khan, who also founded the club, and Joseph Matundura, Shabana rose to the peak of Kenyan club football, finishing second in 1988 and represented the country in the CAF Confederations Cup the following season.
Shabana, a club that once boasted some of the league's best talents in the country, was relegated from top flight football in 2006, ending their 21-year stay in KPL.
In 2006, the club had a dispute over its relegation from the Kenya Premier League. Later the club did not participate in any league in 2007.
