Shabana FC head coach Sammy Okoth has underscored the need to have a strong start when they launch their campaign in the new 2023-24 FKF Premier League on Sunday.

The Kisii-based Glamour Boys will be making a return to the top flight after 17 years in the cold following their success to lift the National Super League (NSL) title last season. Ahead of their opening clash of the season against fellow promoted side Murang’a Seal FC on Sunday, Okoth has reiterated the reason for them to start on a positive note.

“There is a big difference between NSL and the Premier League. In NSL you can start the season slowly and then catch up because you play a lot of matches but it is not the same case with the Premier League where you are playing with big boys,” said Okoth.

“We want to make sure we are ready for a strong start, it is good to kick off strongly as this will give us the opportunity to know our strength and what we can achieve at the end of the season. That is what we have been working on for the last two or three weeks, a strong start and I hope we will achieve exactly that.”

Okoth further explained why it is not good to start poorly in any competition especially the league by saying: “Starting poorly will not only affect you as a coach but also affect your players because maybe they are very young, new in the league and anticipating a good start then all of sudden they start losing their first matches, it will definitely become difficult to urge them on and get them going again.”

Recently, Tore Bobe sealed a sponsorship deal worth Sh20 million from Chinese betting firm Bangbet. The one-year deal boosted Okoth’s ambitions to reinforce the squad with new signings and one of the arrivals in the team is former Sofapaka and Bandari defender Rodgers Aloro.

According to Okoth, Aloro’s signing is a big addition to the team as he will bring the experience needed to play and perform well at the top level.

“Remember we will be playing in the Premier League and not NSL and Aloro has what it takes to take us forward with his experience,” said Okoth, adding, “He has performed very well while at Sofapaka and did the same at Bandari and since he came here he has shown me that he still has the qualities to play at the top level. So he is among the experienced heads in my team and I am happy to have him around.”

Other new signings at the club include Prince Ayieko, Hillary Wandera, Mark Okola and Salomon Omolo. The club is also on the verge of unveiling striker Johanna Mwita.