Shabana F.C.

Shabana

Full name	Shabana Football Club
Nickname(s)	Glamour Boys; Tore Bobe
Founded	1982
Ground	Gusii Stadium
Capacity	15,000
Chairman	Jared Nivaton Ombongi
Manager	Peter Okidi
League	FKF Premier League
2024–25	5th
Home colours Away colours Third colours

Shabana Football Club, more commonly known as Shabana or Shabana Kisii, is a professional association football club based in Kisii, currently playing in the FKF Premier League.

History

Shabana Football Club was founded in 1980 by Kisii-based businessman Dogo Khan. The club quickly rose through the ranks of Kenyan football and finished third in the 1987 Kenyan First Division with 50 points, behind Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards. This performance earned them qualification to the 1988 edition of the African Cup of Champions Clubs, the predecessor to the CAF Champions League. ^{[1] [2]}

The club experienced a major setback in 2006 due to a dispute over its relegation from the Kenyan Premier League. Shabana was expected to compete in the second-tier Nationwide League, but refused to participate, insisting they still belonged in the Premier League, which did not re-admit them. Consequently, Shabana did not participate in any league competition in 2007. The club later regrouped under the new name Gusii United Football Club and eventually returned to competitive football. ^[3]

Shabana continued their rise, winning the second-tier league title in 2014 and earning promotion after topping Zone B of the FKF Division One. ^[4]

On 28 October 2018, Shabana earned promotion to the Kenyan National Super League after defeating Mwatate United in a penalty shootout. The match ended 1–1 in regulation time and was played at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

Shortly afterward, on 28 November 2018, Gilbert Selebwa was appointed head coach, assisted by Kanuli Rix. Selebwa later resigned in October 2019 due to a salary dispute. ^[5]

In the 2022/2023 season, Shabana finished top of the Kenyan National Super League, sealing promotion to the FKF Premier League after defeating Kisumu All Stars in the final match of the season at a fully packed Gusii Stadium. ^{[6] [7]}

Shabana FC currently plays its home matches at Gusii Stadium, a significant landmark for the club’s large fanbase.

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Performance in CAF competitions

• African Cup of Champions Clubs : 1 appearance

1988: First Round knocked out.

References

1. "Shabana founder reveals inspiration behind the team's name". 13 July 2023.
2. "Kenya 1987".
3. "Kenya: Clubs' League Finally Registered".
4. "Kenya Football .:. Story - KFF Organized Nationwide League Kicks off". Archived from the original on 1 January 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
5. Mabuka, Dennis. "Selebwa resigns as Shabana FC coach due to salary dispute". Goal. www.goal.com. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
6. Sang, Kiplagat (19 June 2023). "Shabana and Murang'a Seal Promotion". People Daily. pd.co.ke. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
7. "Muranga Seal & Shabana Gain Promotion to the FKF Premier League". Football Kenya Federation. FKF Communications. 18 June 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.