Shabana FC has called on their fans to end their ongoing boycott and attend the match against Sofapaka at Gusii Stadium on Wednesday 23 October.Tore Bobe fans had vowed to boycott matches this season, citing harsh treatment from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).The boycott began during their match against Mara Sugar at Awendo Green Stadium, with fans arguing that the venue was too small to host such a game.##NAJAVA_MECA_8435578##Supporters also claimed attempts had been made to portray them negatively following the cancellation of the match against Posta Rangers on Saturday 28 September, when no officials showed up to officiate.Earlier, the FKF’s Leagues and Competitions Committee had sanctioned Shabana to play five matches without fans due to crowd trouble during a 2-2 draw with Ulinzi Stars on Sunday 22 September.However, the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) later granted the club stay orders, allowing fans to attend the match against Posta Rangers.Supremacy struggles between FKF and Shabana threaten future of Kenyan footballAcknowledging the financial boost provided by their large fanbase, the club’s leadership, in a letter seen by Mozzart Sport, welcomed fans back to Gusii Stadium for their first top-flight match at the venue in 18 years.“To our loyal and dedicated fans, The Shabana FC Chairpersons would like to extend our deepest appreciation to all supporters for their incredible show of unity and loyalty during the recent away match against Mara Sugar.Due to serious security concerns, we issued an advisory asking fans to avoid attending that match, and we are proud of how our supporters responded by prioritizing safety and standing in solidarity with the club.We now look forward to our home match at Gusii Stadium on Wednesday, October 23 at 2:00 PM, and are thrilled to welcome all fans back to cheer on our beloved team. Your passion and support make all the difference!”##NAJAVA_MECA_8435595##The letter also emphasized the importance of sportsmanship during the game:”We want to stress the importance of maintaining a peaceful and respectful atmosphere throughout the match. Shabana FC is a club built on strong values of sportsmanship, and we trust that all fans will uphold this spirit inside and outside the stadium. Your safety and enjoyment are our top priorities.To avoid last-minute inconveniences or overcrowding at the gates, we encourage fans to purchase tickets in advance from designated selling points.”FKF issue statement on Shabana’s clash against Posta Rangers after referees disappearThe match against Sofapaka is crucial for both teams, as they seek their first wins of the season after a tough start.Shabana has drawn against Bidco United and Ulinzi Stars while losing to Mara Sugar. Sofapaka has suffered defeats to Tusker, Talanta, and Bandari but managed draws against Mathare United and Nairobi City Stars.A win for either team would ease the pressure on their respective coaches, Sammy Omolo and Robert Matano.
