Shabana must show the cash to play in NSL-FKF

Kisii-based Shabana FC shall have to prove to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) they can sustain themselves financially in the National Super League before they are re-admitted to the second –tier competition.

Speaking to , FKF Competitions’ Committee chairman and NEC Member, David Gikaria said Shabana will also have to cough up affiliation fees.

“They shall be compelled to play two matches in a week to catch up with the rest since the federation has no grace period to accommodate them,” he added.

Shabana’s inclusion brings back the NSL teams to 20 after west sugar had been disbanded for the rest of the season.

It comes after the Sports Tribunal chairman, John Ohaga, ruled in favour of the former top flight giants to be reinstated to the competition on Tuesday evening.

“I don’t see any substantial reason why Shabana should be dropped from the league. The federation has bear the blame for wrongly and unlawfully dropping the team,” Ohaga read in his ruling.

The Tribunal chair declared the team has to be given time to register new players since most of their staff moved on when they learned that the team was to play the third-tier.

He quoted players like Bernard Meki, Mangiri Sirenga and Francis Ocholla who left the team because it was not playing in the Super League.

The team’s Organizing secretary, Stephen Kiama, appreciated the ruling, which he said that they follow CAF and FIFA standards.

The ruling sparked celebrations among the club’s supporters inside the court and in their Kisii stronghold.

Report by Edwin Musalia and Charles Onsakia