•Shabana will open their KPL campaign with newbies Murang'a Seal on August 27 at Narok Stadium.
•Coach Okoth confirmed that the Glamour Boys are eyeing at least 10 players with KPL experience.
Image: ANGWENYI GICHANA
FKF Premier League returnees Shabana began their pre-season on Tuesday with coach Sammy Okoth saying one month is not enough to prepare for their top-tier league return.
Coach Okoth feels newly promoted teams should be given at least two months to prepare for top tier league bow. "We gave our players a two weeks break which is not enough after the tough NSL season. They returned on Sunday and we have begun our pre-season today," said Okoth.
Shabana will open their KPL campaign with newbies Murang'a Seal on August 27 at Narok Stadium. "We have now hit the ground running but the first month in the KPL will be part of our pre-season," added the tactician.
He confirmed that the Glamour Boys are eyeing at least 10 players with KPL experience. "KPL is a tough competition. We are signing at least 10 players. We have already identified the targets and the management has already engaged them. We hope this process will be completed before the league kicks off," he noted.
The club has already parted ways with Nigerians Derima Adevie and Prince Mitto Ake. Also said to have been axed is forward Cornelius Juma who joined the team from Kenya Police in mid-season.
Okoth refused to comment on the departures." The management is handling the issue. Kindly contact them. As of now, I'm working with players at my disposal," the coach added.
On Tuesday, the club failed to sign a sponsorship deal with Chinese gaming firm, BangBet during their homecoming at Gusii Stadium.
"We did not sign the deal because we have not agreed on some clauses. Our legal teams are working on it and we hope to reach an agreement before the end of the week," said Secretary General Elizaphan Kerama.
BangBet will sponsor the club to the tune of Sh20 million a month, according to Kerama. The much-hyped registration of fans also failed after the function was hijacked by politicians.
Kerama said a new date for the launch will be announced before the start of the season. The SG noted that the NSL champions will on Friday be hosted by Ababu Namwamba for breakfast at a Nairobi hotel.
Murang'a Seal also began their pre-season on Monday with several prospective signings joining the team for training. "Some players we want to sign are part of our training. We are monitoring them before we commit anything," said coach Nyaberi.