Gusii United FC have seen their sibling rivals Shabana FC earn direct promotion into the top flight FKF Premier League in the recently concluded National Super League and they too want a taste of that. According to center-back Bravo Odhiambo, Shabana’s promotion was bitter-sweet for the Gusii side. On the one hand, they are sworn enemies on the battlefield and on the other, they share a home ground- the famed Gusii Stadium.##NAJAVA_MECA_7383434##“It’s inspiring even as much as we wanted to be there ourselves. There isn’t much difference between us and them, they were just a little determined and deserved the promotion,’’ he says. The former Wazito and Western Stima man who joined Gusii in the mid season, turned out 16 times for Gusii and guided his backline to seven clean sheets. He was also involved in four goals for the side. Gusii ended the 2022/23 NSL campaign placed seventh on the log on 42 points, a massive 30 behind their sibling rivals, and eventual league champions Shabana. It’s a huge difference, Odhiambo admits.McKinstry reveals Gor Mahia’s turning point in the FKF PL title race”I feel like we dropped too many points in matches that we should have won, especially the draws. This makes the difference between us and Shabana because they always minimized those draws.“This is a good lesson for us going into the next season as we have learnt from a team very close to us,’’ adds the center-back, who is vastly experienced in the lower tiers.Odhiambo began to cut his teeth with more experienced players at Bondo United in 2016 while still in school. From there, Chemelil Sugar spotted him and quickly roped him in for the 2018 premier league season. Shabana FC’s home ground Gusii Stadium is set to be closed for renovations. The facility will be reopened in October.The Glamour Boys will in the meantime host their home games at the William Ole Ntimama Stadium in Narok, Awendo Stadium or at the Kericho Green Stadium.… pic.twitter.com/4GYTr7gdzE— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) July 17, 2023 He would later join Western Stima (who merged with Muhoroni Youth) and finally at Gusii where he believes he can work some magic and bring the Gusii side to the top flight.”It’s not very difficult to do that – earn promotion to the top flight. I’ve played up there and I believe I know what it takes. Gusii has a very good squad.“With just a few changes in the team’s approach to games, we will join our brothers Shabana in the top flight,’’ adds the former St. Philips Wera captain.Having managed 13 wins from 32 outings in the NSL, Gusii- at the mid table position- might just have a realistic chance of making the most of the upcoming 2023/24 NSL season, given they won’t have to battle their brothers Shabana for points at the Gusii Stadium.
