Shabana face daunting task to have home ground up to FKF standards
By Dennis Mabuka, July 10, 2023Shabana FC, the newly promoted Kisii-based club, has received a warning from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) regarding the substandard conditions of Gusii Stadium, the club’s home base.
FKF President Nick Mwendwa said that unless significant improvements are made, Shabana may be compelled to relocate their league matches to an alternate venue in the next season.
The FKF’s concerns range from inadequate infrastructure to ensure fan safety after an incident witnessed during Shabana’s recent promotion-winning game.
The Kisii-based Glamour Boys moved one step up to top flight football after finishing the season as the National Super League (NSL) champions following their 2-0 victory against Kisumu All Stars at the venue.
The sult saw them top the table with 73 points, five more than second-placed Murang’a Seal FC, who secured a 2-2 draw against Gusii FC at the weekend.
However, as Shabana continues to celebrate their success of ending 17 years without top-flight action, Mwendwa has urged the club’s top hierarchy to make sure work is done to the Gusii Stadium to meet the required standards to host FKF matches.
“As FKF, we are thrilled Shabana have finally been promoted to top-flight but they will have to seriously work on their stadia (to stand a chance of hosting league matches there) because as it stands now, that venue cannot be eligible to host FKF Premier League matches,” Mwendwa told People Sport.
He added: “Looking at the scenes that ensued on Saturday after their final game of the season, the fans invaded the pitch and it was difficult for the stewards to contain them and have the players rewarded with the trophy and medals, I was not there personally but you watched and saw the kind of crowd which attended the game and later invaded the pitch.
“Shabana have more than 10,000 plus fans so they need to plan and make sure that Gusii Stadium has a serious perimeter wall (around the playing venue), they need to improve on their dressing room and even the playing surface which is not up to standard and requires a lot of work to be able to host matches.”
Mwendwa claimed that there is limited time as the new season commences in a month, and if Tore Bobe wants to host their upcoming matches at the stadium, they should kick-start the renovations in earnest.