Shabana target six new signings from sponsorship windfall, coach Okoth says
By Dennis Mabuka, August 16, 2023Shabana FC head coach Sammy Okoth has confirmed they are in the market for six new signings after they finally landed a sponsorship ahead of the new 2023-24 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League season.
On Sunday, the Kisii-based Glamour Boys signed a one-year sponsorship deal worth Sh20 million with Chinese betting firm BangBet in a ceremony attended by Kisii Governor Simba Arati, Shabana players, and officials at a Nairobi Hotel.
During the occasion, the company also donated three sets of uniforms and tracksuits for 35 players. The arrival of the sponsorship is a huge sigh of relief for coach Okoth, who only a week ago bemoaned the lack of new signings at the club in readiness for the new season.
“We had listed some players for signing and with the sponsors now on board, we expect the deals to be completed as quickly as possible,” said Okoth, adding: “We have our target on signing Rodgers Aloro and Johana Mwita from Bandari, we are in talks to bring in Prince Ayieko from Nzoia Sugar, Hillary Wandera and Mark Ogolla from Vihiga United.”
“The aforementioned players have been on our list of most wanted, and now we will move with speed and bring them on board. Our next target is to bring in six more signings, to help replace those we have dropped. Of course, it is a new season, and it comes with new things, so we are hoping to seal the deals as quickly as possible.”
Okoth confirmed the six targets as among the players who have been training with the team in pre-season. “We have players who have been training with us since we kicked off pre-season, I am impressed by some so I may be forced to have them sign for us, remember we don’t have enough time to train together and kick off the season,” added Okoth.
Speaking during the function to unveil the sponsor, Shabana chairman Jared Nivaton confirmed Tore Bobe have lined up two friendly matches against Premier League sides Bandari and KCB before they unveil their squad to the public.
“We will play two friendly matches against Bandari and KCB in Nyanza and Nairobi and thereafter unveil the squad,” said Nivaton, adding: “We want to give the coach humble time to get the players he wants, we will support him to sign the best, so soon we will make our full list of players public.”