Shabana coach reveals his expectations after new sponsorship deal

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FOOTBALL: Shabana coach reveals his expectations after new sponsorship deal

Joel Omotto 12:00 - 16.08.2023

Sammy Okoth has explained what he is hoping for following the club’s unveiling of betting firm Bangbet as their financiers for next season

Shabana coach Sammy Okoth is hoping that most of the players, if not all, that he has targeted will be signed by the club following the unveiling of betting firm Bangbet as their sponsor for the next one season.

Tore Bobe sealed a Ksh20 million sponsorship with the betting company, which will also provide kits and balls to the team, while they have promised an extra Ksh10 million if Shabana win the Football Kenya Federation Premier League.

While Okoth is delighted that his main concern has finally been addressed, he is keeping his fingers crossed that it will be enough to convince his key targets to sign on the dotted line, having been training with the club while awaiting to be handed contracts.

“I am waiting for the club to come up with a budget to know how many of the players we have targeted will be signed and what kind of contracts they will be offered. That will give me a clear indication of how we will shape up for the new season,” said Okoth.

Prior to the sponsorship deal, Okoth had been seeking assurances that his players will not be subjected to the financial struggles of last season when they had to go for months without pay due to the club’s cash constraints.

Defenders Hillary Ndombi, Price Ayieko, Michael Wandera and Rodgers Aloro, goalkeeper Michael Wanyika, midfielder Mark Okola and striker Johanna Mwita are among those who have been training with Shabana while awaiting to know their fate.

The Glamour Boys are set for their first Premier League campaign in 17 years following their promotion last season and their coach wants a quality squad that will not be dragged into a relegation battle next season.

“In the NSL, there are so many games you can recover any time but in the Premier League once you have a bad start, recovering becomes difficult. Those are the things that need to be addressed so that when we start preparations, there are no distractions,” added the former Vihiga United coach.

“When you start poorly with young players, they develop fear and you start underperforming but if everything is in place, there cannot be problems.”

Shabana, who will be playing their home matches at Narok Stadium, begin their season at home to fellow new boys Murang’a Seal on August 27.