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Shabana were promoted to the FKFPL as NSL champions while Murang’a Seal come in as runners-up, but why is one team third on the table while the other one is second from bottom?
Murang'a Seal and Shabana FC are experiencing two different forms since their promotion to the Football Kenya Federation Premier League last season.
Murang'a head into Saturday's clash with Gor Mahia third on the table on 20 points, level with the defending champions, and one behind leaders Posta Rangers.
By contrast, Shabana are second from bottom on seven points with only goal difference separating them from basement side Sofapaka.
Murang'a have won six, drawn two, and lost as many and are unbeaten in their last five matches while Shabana only have one win to their name, having lost five and drawn four.
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09:06 - 07.11.2023
FOOTBALL Shabana FC: Five potential candidates to replace sacked coach Sammy Okoth
Shabana FC are in the hunt for a new coach following the sacking of Sammy Okoth but who are the men they can turn to following their poor run of form?
Tore Bobe have lost their last three games which culminated in the sacking of coach Sammy Okoth early in the week and they face Nzoia Sugar on Saturday with his assistant Oscar Kambona in charge on an interim basis.
Interestingly, it is Shabana who were the better team in the National Super League (NSL) last season as they were promoted as champions while Murang'a finished second.
So, why are Murang'a shinning while Shabana are dimming?
Recruitment
A lot has to do with how the two teams went about their business after getting promoted.
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16:58 - 05.11.2023
FKFPL Murang'a Seal sip Tusker as Kakamega Homeboyz cruise past Muhoroni Youth
Tusker suffered their fifth loss of the season at the hands of Seal, while Muhoroni failed to capitalize on their home ground advantage against Kakamega Homeboyz.
Murang'a embarked on a planned recruitment exercise where then-coach Vincent Nyaberi identified his targets early and brought them in. He had enough time to impart his philosophy to the squad and the players were able to gel before the season started.
However, for Shabana, it was a hurried process as by the last week of pre-season, Okoth still did not know whom he was going to sign as the club waited to finalise a sponsorship deal with betting firm Bangbet before making financial commitments.
This ultimately affected the coach's plans and when his team struggled on the pitch, he became the fall guy. It's not just the timing of recruitment but also the players both clubs brought in.
Murang'a focused on young relatively unknown talents, most sourced from lower league teams, while Shabana went for players who had been jettisoned by top-flight sides.
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19:49 - 06.11.2023
FKFPL Shabana fans demand change following heartbreak at Mbaraki
Police escorted Shabana FC players after fans protest their third straight loss at Mbaraki Stadium, demanding better team performance.
Murang'a signed Dennis Munyovi (MCF), Awita Batts (Bidco United), Cornelius Juma (Shabana), Athuman Rashid Moyo (Darajani Gogo), Caleb Nyangena (Mbotela Kamaliza), Bonphas Munyasa (Sofapaka), Dennis Kweyu (Mara Sugar), Robert Mudenyu (AFC Leopards) and Wilberforce Lugogo (Ss Assad) while Shabana brought in Rodgers Aloro (Bandari), Mark Okola (Vihiga United), Eugene Mukangula (AFC Leopards), Enock Agwanda (Kakamega Homeboyz), Victor Kamungo (Migori Youth), Johanna Mwita (Bandari), Salomon Omolo, Hillary Wandera (Kakamega Homeboyz) Prince Ayieko (Nzoia Sugar).
"Their biggest problem is not the coach but recruitment. It was not done well. Sammy Okoth was not a bad coach but his technical bench needed someone who could help him,” observed Nyaberi, a former Shabana player who came up against them in the NSL last season.
“You need to look at age and the player who can serve you long-term, not someone whom you will need to replace in the second leg of the season.
“When they were in the NSL, they should have identified their weaknesses so that they get players to solve them. The other thing is that they were going for names rather than quality. They made the mistake Kenya Police have done, they have big names but where is the performance?” he posed.
18:00 - 10.11.2023
FKFPL Kenya Police show second-half class to gun down helpless Ulinzi Stars
Wonder strikes from Francis Kahata and Abud Omar were enough for Kenya Police to upstage Ulinzi Stars at Police Sacco Stadium.
Style
The style of play is another thing that differentiates the two teams. A keen observer of both Shabana and Murang’a in the NSL would have noted the emphasis on long balls and counter-attacks from the Glamour Boys while the Kiharu-based side focused on a quick passing game built from the back.
It seems to be serving Murang’a well in the Premier League while Shabana’s style has met resistance. This is because while Tore Bobe were the top side in the NSL and would steamroll over opponents, they are the underdogs in the Premier League and have more defending to do.
They are facing more shots in the top flight which is putting pressure on their defense that has conceded 14, the third worst in the league, while they lack the players with the technical ability to build from the back.
It forced Okoth to rely on set pieces which brought out the best in his players, contributing five of their seven goals, but that was not going to serve them for the long haul.
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16:47 - 10.11.2023
FOOTBALL Kakamega Homeboyz put five past hapless Sofapaka to pile more misery on Batoto ba Mungu
Kakamega Homeboyz showed no mercy to visiting Sofapaka as they hammered them 5-0 to move to fourth place on the table as their opponents continue wallowing at the bottom
“They also needed to change the style a little bit. If you look at Murang’a Seal, the signings I made and the foundations I laid are what are serving them very well now,” added Nyaberi, who joined NSL side Mara Sugar this week.
Fanbase
It is hard to deny that the highly demanding Shabana fanbase has had an impact on the players’ performance.
In fact, Okoth had threatened to quit early in October over what he termed ‘impossible’ demands from Shabana supporters who expect victory in every game when he had been preaching patience.
While most Shabana players are new to the Premier League stage, the fans still expect them to dominate opponents like they did in the NSL when that does not happen, they receive a backlash.
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13:00 - 08.11.2023
FKFPL Shabana issue alert on fake tickets following Gor Mahia revenue loss
Shabana FC have warned fans about counterfeit tickets, taking action after experiencing a significant revenue setback following their recent match against Gor Mahia.
Now, there are even accusations of some players getting cozy with female supporters, adding fuel to the raging fire.
These are just some of the factors that have differentiated the two sides and whoever is appointed Shabana coach already has his work cut out.
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