Shabana ready for Leopards test in Mashujaa Cup

National Super League heavyweights Shabana are raring to go ahead of their much anticipated Mashujaa Day clash against AFC Leopards at the Gusii Stadium this afternoon.

Their two-week long preparations culminated in friendly matches against local and FKF Division II teams all of which the glamor boys won comfortably.

Shabana team manager Elijah Sani is confident the team will give the former Kenya Premier League champions a run for their money given the preparations they have had.

“We have had good preparations and I’m positive we will play a good game against a top side.

“We understand they play in the top tier meaning will have to play at our best to stand a chance of getting a good result against them.”

Despite the game being part of the team’s preseason preparations, Sani is confident it will give his players the necessary exposure as they pursue their long-term dream of returning to Kenya’s big-time soccer.

“We know this is not a competitive match but an opportunity to play against one of the best teams in the country is something we will cherish,” he observed.

Sani is happy the new recruits have shown great potential in the friendly matches, perhaps giving the team impetus ahead of the new season.

“All of the new players have played remarkably well especially against Ema Moja who play in the second division. Despite being a tough opponent, we fielded a team comprising majorly new players and they won it comfortably,” he reckoned.

He had earlier hinted that they will use the fixture to gauge the fitness of its playing unit as the team embarks on a recruitment spree ahead of the new season.

The club boasts arguably the biggest fan base in the NSL and is desperately eyeing a return to the top tier league after a five-year hiatus.

The Gusii based side were ranked 11th before the 2019/20 NSL season ended prematurely due to the Covid-19 pandemic.