Shabana FC head coach Peter Okidi has acknowledged that replacing striker Mathew Tegisi will be a significant challenge but remains committed to securing a quality replacement during the mid-season transfer window.Okidi’s primary focus is Kenya’s lower divisions in a bid to try and unearth a hidden gem as he focuses on finding a successor for his star forward.Tegisi recently left the Gusii-based club for Tanzania’s Pamba Jiji FC, less than a year after joining Shabana. His departure creates a major gap in the club’s attack, especially since he had formed a formidable partnership with top scorer Brian Michira, with the duo contributing 12 goals so far this season.##NAJAVA_MECA_8594025##With Tegisi’s exit, Okidi and his coaching staff face the tough task of finding a replacement. While Okidi, who has previously coached youth national teams, recognizes the scarcity of top-quality strikers in Kenya, he is determined to find a solution.”Right now, it’s incredibly difficult to find a striker of his quality in Kenya, and that’s the reality It won’t be an easy task, but that’s exactly what we’re here for—building a strong team through proper scouting and recruitment. We’re determined to get it done before the window closes at the end of January, and I’m confident we’ll succeed,” he remarked.Francis Kimanzi returns as Harambee Stars name provisional squad for Mapinduzi CupWhen asked if he would focus on acquiring a player with top-tier experience, Okidi admitted that recruiting a proven striker from the Premier League would be a challenge due to most players being contracted to other clubs.Therefore, his attention is on scouting from the lower leagues, particularly the third tier, where he has previously found hidden gems.”We’ve cast our nets far and wide. Securing a top-tier striker is nearly impossible, given that most are already contracted to other clubs. So, we’re focusing more on scouting the lower leagues, particularly Division One, where I’ve discovered some real gems in the past. Our attention is on unearthing such talent again,” he explained.MacDonald Mariga on why Harambee Stars accepted Mapinduzi Cup inviteOkidi also shared that he plans to sign a young player with potential for development.”My track record speaks for itself; I’m all about developing young players. Our goal is to sign a promising young striker, someone with potential and room to grow, a player we can mould into a top-tier talent. I’m confident we’ll find the right fit, and we hope he adapts quickly to the demands of the top division,” he said.Additionally, the club aims to strengthen its defense and midfield, hoping not to lose any more players before the season concludes.EXCLUSIVE: Harambee Stars set to appoint former Manchester United coach
