Shabana ready for NSL campaign

National Super League giants Shabana will learn about their opponents for their 2020/21 season opener Wednesday ahead of Saturday kick-off.

The Gusii stadium-based side was scheduled to take on Chemelil at the Chemelil Complex but the latter’s disbandment means that Football Kenya Federation will have to find their replacement.

This development also means the venue for the game will change.

Shabana team manager Elijah Sani says the team is ready for the season and will go for a strong start regardless of the opponent they will come up against.

“As of today we are not sure of our opponent and we are waiting for the federation to furnish us with the details.

“However I feel that the boys are ready going by the work they have put in training in the past three weeks.”

As part of their strategy, Sani says they’ll take one game at a time as they aim to realize their long term ambition of returning to the Kenya Premier League.

“We understand the season is going to be long so we will adapt a marathon pace.

With one game at a time approach, we will be in a better position to examine our weaknesses and strengths as the journey progresses,” he added.

The glamour boys will hinge their hopes on a blend of experience and youth signed during the preseason to mount a sustained title challenge.

The club signed players from the top three divisions and hopes they will help to turn around its fortunes after finishing in mid-table positions in the last two seasons.

The team 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 was ranked 11th before the 2019/20 NSL season ended prematurely due to the Covid-19 pandemic.