Sally Bolo schools Shabana fans in defence of Gor Mahia’s dominance
By Joel Masibo, October 31, 2025Gor Mahia Vice Chairperson Sally Bolo has shared the secret behind the club’s long dominance in the Kenyan Premier League.
Reacting to an amateur video on Friday, October 31, 2025, where a section of Shabana FC fans were recorded calling for the ouster of head coach Peter Okidi over a string of poor results at the Gusii-based outfit, Bolo acknowledged that Shabana supporters had huge expectations this season, but football growth takes time, patience, and clear structures.
Shabana’s dwindling form
After winning their first two fixtures of the current campaign against APS Bomet and Bandari FC, the Glamour Boys lost track, dropping points against Tusker FC, Posta Rangers, Mathare United and AFC Leopards.
Following the loss form at the club, Shabana FC quickly dropped from the top position in the league standings to seventh on the KPL log, prompting fury from the fans, who want the head coach out.
A section of the fans have accused Peter Okidi of being biased, favouring players from the Luo community over local players drawn from the Gusii community, an accusation that Bolo has condemned.
”What is disappointing is seeing the conversation suddenly shifting to tribal angles. That route has never helped any club in Kenya ama abroad, and it won’t start working now. Now, Okidi is ‘Luo’ and ‘signing Luos’? Come on. Since when did tribes win matches? Coaches look for quality, not surnames, and to be honest, talent in Kenya has always been spread across regions, especially Luo Nyanza and Western. That’s not tribalism, it’s football reality,” Bolo took to her social pages on Friday, October 31, 2025.
Gor Mahia’s secret card
Sally Bolo continued to school Shabana FC supporters on the progress of a team by saying: ”Let me give a real example from Gor Mahia. When our head coach, Charles Akonnor, watched Michael Kibwage during CHAN, he simply said, ‘I want this player.’ As the Gor Mahia Executive, we went straight for his signature. Not once did anyone say, ‘He’s not our tribe. We can’t sign him.’ That’s how big clubs work: go for talent, regardless of where it comes from,” Bolo said.
She continued: ”At Gor, we have had captains from everywhere: Musa Mohammed, Harun Shakava, Kenneth Muguna, and now Kibwage wears the armband when Austin or Alpha are not on the pitch. Nobody questions their origin, only their commitment. We are not perfect, but we don’t allow tribal lines to run our football. Maybe that’s why pressure never breaks us, and why we remain the most decorated club, both locally and internationally,” Sally Bolo added.
Gor Mahia are the most decorated club in Kenyan football, boasting 22 Kenyan Premier League titles and continental success. Based on the record, Sally Bolo urged Shabana FC faithful to be patient and support the club responsibly.
”To my Shabana brothers and sisters, support your team, build your structures, and leave tribal blame games out of football. Talent is Kenyan, not tribal. You can only grow by embracing quality from everywhere. Tribalism has no place in football, not in 2025, not ever.” She said.