Former Shabana Coach Reveals How Gusii Stadium is Used to Exploit Oppositions

Former Shabana coach Caleb Aringa has shed light on how Gusii Stadium's shortcomings are used to flout Fair Play against FKF Premier League opposition hosted at the ground.

Aringa, who formerly coached Shabana FC as an interim coach, has alleged that the Kisii-based side takes advantage of heavy downpour at the ground to put visiting teams at an unfair disadvantage.

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Speaking on the Exit Show on YouTube, the former Shabana tactician pointed to a recent fixture against Bandari on April 6 as an example.

The clash, which was played under a heavy downpour at Gusii Stadium, saw the Glamour Boys emerge 3-1 winners. However, it was the third goal for Shabana, scored by Nehemiah Onchiri, that Aringa took issue with.

"I feel like the county government needs to take initiative. Because Shabana is a huge team with a huge following—make them a stadium," said Aringa.

"The other day I watched the game between Shabana and Bandari, and you don't want the Bandari coach to talk—but that is not football."

Aringa pointed to Onchiri's 88th-minute goal, which saw the a back pass by Bandari held up by puddles of water before the forward latched onto it to seal the win.

"The third goal for Shabana was a squared pass that was halted by water, and the striker Onchiri latched onto it to score. So is it fair really? Is it a competitive place?" queried Aringa.

"Because the field is full of water—if I was the referee, I would stop the match so that the water subsides, and then we resume or replay," he noted.

"I sympathise with the Bandari coach—he came to play football, but that field, when it rains, is unplayable for other teams. Yet the referee allows play to go on."

Nevertheless, the 10,000-seater home to the Glamour Boys has proven a tough ground to visit.

The Tore Bobe have sent teams packing visit after visit, steadying their faltering start to the campaign under former coach Sammy 'Pamzo' Omollo.

Under current coach Peter Okidi, the Glamour Boys have turned Gusii into a fortress, dispatching teams to place fourth on the log with 49 points—nine away from the summit.