Shabana’s top-flight return after years of languishing in the lower tiers came readily backed by a solid fanbase, majority of whom many in the local football spaces will agree also worked their part to ensure the side retained that coveted premiership spot at the end of the 2023/24 FKF Premier League campaign. Coach Sammy Omollo’s men grabbed a tough 1-0 away draw to Murang’a Seal on the final day of the league, to further stay safe and ensure that the Kisii-based side treats its loyal following countrywide to another season of top-flight.Dimpol Omamo plays in the full-back position for Omollo’s side. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8173396##It has been one of the toughest campaigns since he joined the side he says. ‘’What makes the FKF Premier League tough is you almost never know what to expect from each opposition. Every side is a top team here and we had players who were playing in it for the first time. Even though we would have loved to finish in the top half of the table, safety from relegation is very welcome and we can work on finishing higher next year,’’ he says. Shabana spent a better part of the season in the bottom three of the log, occasioning technical bench changes that came as a result of some very humbling defeats. Losing 2-1 to Kariobangi Sharks on 18th May meant all the remaining points from the next three matches were at stake for them to maintain their premiership status. There is light at the end of Kenyan football tunnel, says McKinstryThey weren’t easy fixtures to begin with. ‘’We hosted AFC Leopards after that Sharks defeat and that is a side we had not beaten in so many years. Even though playing at home, the odds heavily favoured our visitors. We knew we had to pull a huge result from that match in order to calm the nerves,’’ continues the defender. The end result was one of the highest-scoring premier league matches for the just-ended season. Emerging Stars squad for COSAFA Cup namedA 4-3 victory for Omamo and compatriots against a Leopards side that seemingly didn’t care for Shabana’s relegation woes. Ingwe clearly had also gone all out against a side that rivals them even in the crowded matchday stands.Next was a visit from Bidco, and already sensing safety, Shabana hit the oilers for 3. They were one foot clear off relegation and a positive result against Seal would seal the spirited relegation fight. Samuel Maiko ensured this fear assuaged with a solitary goal on Sunday against the Murang’a side. Ending the season on 38 points, placed in 14th position, Omamo can’t hep but wonder how they managed to pull themselves up in such a short time. Akhulia calls thrilling 4-3 defeat to Gor Mahia ‘One of the best matches’‘’I think it’s one of those cases where if you put your mind to something you can achieve it. We finished well and I’m very proud of my teammates,’’ he concludes.Shabana, whose traditional home ground is the Gusii stadium, currently not yet up to the FIFA codes for premier league matches, hosted their home games at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homabay. With the victory on Sunday, however, Governor Simba Arati has promised the side that Gusii stadium will be ready before the month of August.
