New Shabana coach Ahmed Fathi juggles the ball during his unveiling at Nyayo Stadium/HANDOUT
New Shabana FC head coach Ahmed Fathi has set his sights on turning the Glamour Boys into genuine SportPesa League title contenders, promising to instil discipline and an attacking brand of football as he begins his tenure at the Kisii-based club.
The Egyptian tactician, unveiled on Friday, said he was convinced to take the job by the club's clear vision and believes Shabana have the quality to compete with Kenya's established football powers.
"I am highly motivated to take up this great challenge because of the clear, professional vision presented by the club's board," Fathi said.
"To survive and win in a demanding league like this, absolute discipline must be our baseline."
The 40-year-old joins Shabana with a 15-year coaching career spanning Africa, Europe and Asia. A CAF 'A' Licence holder, he arrives from Ghana Premier League side Swedru All Blacks, having previously served as assistant coach and performance analyst at Egyptian Premier League clubs Ismaily SC and El Gouna.
He has also gained technical experience through coaching development programmes in Spain, Japan and Malaysia.
Fathi intends to introduce a possession-based, high-intensity style of play while fostering healthy competition within the squad as the club seeks to challenge for major honours.
"The current group of players has shown me immense focus and readiness from our very first session together," he said. "I can see that internal competition is incredibly strong as the boys push each other every day."
Shabana have made little secret of their ambition to mount a serious title challenge after missing out on a top-four finish last season, with the club backing the new coach through a strengthened technical bench that includes Rwandan strength and conditioning specialist Hatagekimana Corneille.
Fathi's appointment also marks another fresh start in the club's quest for stability on the technical bench.
Sammy Okoth, who guided the Glamour Boys back to the top flight in 2023, was dismissed just 10 matches into their return campaign. Veteran coach Sammy "Pamzo" Omollo later took charge before departing after a run of inconsistent performances.
Peter Okidi subsequently steadied the side and guided Shabana to an impressive fifth-place finish last season before leaving in March following a heavy 5-1 defeat to AFC Leopards.
Although his international résumé has generated optimism among supporters, Fathi faces the challenge of succeeding where several foreign coaches in Kenyan football have struggled, navigating administrative demands while delivering consistent results.
Among his immediate priorities will be improving a defence that faltered during the closing stages of last season as Shabana prepare for the new campaign.
"We must all work together as one unit because a successful team is built on hard work," Fathi said.
This version makes Fathi's vision and expectations the primary news angle, while naturally weaving in his appointment, credentials, Shabana's ambitions and the club's recent coaching history.
Shabana technical bench
Ahmed Fathi (head coach), Hesbon Nyabinge (assistant coach), Andrea Ongwae (assistant coach), David Juma (goalkeeping coach), Hatagekimana Corneille (fitness, strength and conditioning coach), Elijah Sani (team manager), Emmanuel Juma (team physiotherapist), Absalom Aduda (kit manager), Kevin Momanyi (head coach, youth team and development), Justus Omete (masseuse and soft tissue physiotherapist)
