Shabana FC’s latest midfield acquisition, Biron Otieno, has opened up on his conversation with Keith Imbali after signing for the Kisii-based club.After much speculation and jostling between FKF Premier League clubs, Otieno was unveiled as a Shabana player on Tuesday, 8 July, after penning a two-year contract.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsThe Kibera-born and bred midfielder has now reunited with his old friend and teammate Keith Imbali, with whom they played together at Kariobangi Sharks.In an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport, Otieno revealed the orientation he received from Imbali as he commences his Shabana chapter.EXCLUSIVE: LOC reveals when CHAN tickets will be available“He told me that it is a different environment from Sharks, a good team with good players, the team’s playing style is different, but then I should maintain my style.Additionally, I am to expect some pressure from playing in front of a large number of fans, which is different from Sharks,” stated Otieno.Nevertheless, Biron said the midfielder had nothing to do with his decision to join the Peter Okidi-coached side.##NAJAVA_MECA_9009725##“He did not influence my signing in any way. I just decided to join because my contract ended, and I had to find a new home. However, I am happy to reunite with him because we had a good connection at Sharks,” added Otieno.The diminutive midfielder, who had attracted the interest of several clubs including Gor Mahia and Nairobi United, also revealed why Shabana won the race for his signature.“Shabana expressed the strongest interest among all the teams that showed intent in signing me. The team was consistent and showed me that they valued me, which was key in making that decision,” he explains.Inside three major match fixing scandals that rocked the 2024–25 FKFPL seasonOtieno, who is fondly referred to as ‘N’golo’ in football circles due to his physical and positional similarity to France international N’golo Kante, also spoke of the expected difference in playing outside Nairobi for the first time in his career.“I just have to adapt to a new environment and a new team altogether. As a footballer, you just have to change and adapt to whichever environment, regardless of where the opportunity comes from,” he concluded.
