Cash-strapped Shabana appeal for help

Former Kenyan Premier League giants Shabana FC are in a crisis.

The Kisii-based side is unable to pay players, signalling the struggles at the club.

Locals are afraid that the club might soon enter into the endless list of defunct clubs that once dominated in the country and region. Shabana nearly went down that road in 2006 after the club was relegated from the top flight.

The club is now appealing for help from well-wishers to offset debts and honour fixtures in the Football Kennya Federation Division One.

Speaking to Nation Sport, Shabana coach Andrew Kanuli said the team, second on the Division One Zone B standings with 24 points from 11 outings, is in danger of failing to honour fixtures if no one comes to their rescue.

Eldoret Youth top the standings with 27 points having played same number of games.

"Last season, we had inexperienced players in the team which cost us. We now urge the Kisii County government and other well-wishers to help us gain promotion to the second tier,” Kanuli said.

“We have been going through hard times since we were relegated from NSL though Dafabet assisted us from September last year before withdrawing their sponsorship in January this year."

The club is currently playing their home matches from Mosocho grounds since the Gusii Stadium is under renovation in preparation for the sixth edition of the Kenya Inter County Sports and Cultural Association (KICOSCA) Games slated for August 12-18 this year.

In a quick rejoinder, the Kisii County executive committee member for sports Duke Mainga blamed the club’s management for the team’s woes.

“The management of the club is not organised hence we cannot offer our full support to the club,” Mainga said.