Nairobi Senator Sonko comes to Shabana FC rescue

Shabana FC will take their place in the second-tier National Super League (NSL) after Nairobi Senator, Mike Mbuvi Sonko paid the Ksh70,000 required for their registration in the competition to beat Tuesday’s deadline.

FKF president, Nick Mwendwa, confirmed Sonko paid the amount on Tuesday afternoon meaning the club will belatedly start their NSL campaign after a protracted battle to be reinstated that went to the Sports Tribunal.

Earlier, it was a race against time to beat the deadline for registration that was given by the FKF for the Gusii-based local giants to be admitted to the competition.

Speaking on Tuesday morning, team chairman, Jared Ombongi Nivaton, has said that the federation is to blame for woes facing the team with the cut-off date lapsing later in the day.

FKF vice-president, Doris Petra, had hinted the team would not be given further reprieve after their fixture against Ligi Ndogo that was to start them off in the second-tier league competition on Saturday was pushed back to allow the team get its finances in order.

However, Ombongi was optimistic they would beat the deadline as the frantic efforts to secure the Ksh70,000 balance needed to be registered gathered pace with the club having paid an initial deposit of Ksh40,000.

“I am appealing to well-wishers to support the team, since it’s our team, it’s a community club with no sponsor,” the chairman pleaded.

Shabana was reinstated back to the league by the Tribunal, but the former top flight giants have found it difficult to fulfill the financial obligations required to compete in the NSL.

Besides the registration, FKF requires the Gusii based 1988 league runner-ups to offer financial guarantee they will complete their fixtures.

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By Charles Onsakia