We will bounce back stronger: Shabana assures fans amid declining form
By Joel Masibo, May 6, 2026Football Kenya Federation Premier League side Shabana FC has assured club supporters that the Gusii-based outfit will bounce back stronger amid the noticeable declining form in local competitions.
In a statement on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the club said: “We know we’re not in our best moment, but we won’t give up and we’ll come back even stronger.” It stated.
FKF Cup knock-out
The development comes shortly after the Glamour Boys’ push for maiden top-flight silverware since returning to the top tier came to grinding halt as the club suffered a 1-0 loss to Kenya Police to bow out of the competition at the semifinal stage.
Tore Bobe’s defeat was sealed courtesy of Abud Omar’s sublime free-kick strike in the first half on the muddy playing surface of the Gusii Stadium on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
The clash pitting the two FKF PL rivals was touted as the favourites among the last standings in the quarterfinals stage, and it was Nicholas Muyoti who lived up to the tag to eliminate the Gusii club.
The defeat hit home with its own implication for the team co-coached by Mark Ongwae and Osborne Monday, which lost the opportunity to represent Kenya on the continental stage in the CAF interclub competition, the CAF Confederation Cup.
In addition to missing out on the financial reward of Ksh3 million that awaits the edition winner, the third- and fourth-place prize money of Ksh1.5 million and Ksh 1 million, respectively, has also eluded the club after failing just before the money stage.
League woes
At the start of the current FKF Premier League campaign, Shabana was firmly in the title race, challenging for the crown against fellow community clubs, Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards. However, things started going south for the club midway season, leading to the sacking of head coach Peter Okidi, who later joined National Super League side, Mombasa United.
In a statement released by the club on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Shabana confirmed that the decision to part ways with Okidi was reached amicably following constructive discussions between both parties. The club emphasised that the separation was grounded in mutual respect.
”Shabana Football Club wishes to inform its supporters, partners and the general public that the Club has mutually agreed to part ways with Head Coach Peter Okidi. This decision has been reached amicably and with mutual respect, following constructive discussions between both sides,” the statement reads in part.
In his last two matches with the Gusii-based outfit, Peter Okidi guided Shabana FC to two consecutive defeats in the league. He endured a 5-1 trashing at the hands of AFC Leopards at Nyayo Stadium and a 2-1 defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Kariobangi Sharks at Gusii Stadium.
He leaves the team placed third in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League standings behind AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia. However, Shabana is currently placed sixth on the log with 47 points in 29 outings. The side will next host Ulinzi Stars at the Gusii Stadium on Sunday, May 9, 2026, in a bid to slavage the challenging season.