School Games: Shanderema's Mark Shaban weighs on missing national championship, targets premier league move

Shanderema Secondary School top scorer Mark Shaban through his caregiver Jared Anjira has opened up on the frustrations of missing out on the ongoing national school championship claiming it has come at the wrong time in his promising career.

"Missing out on the national games is Mark's biggest heartbreak," offered Green Commandos team manager who also doubles up as a caregiver to a host of players at the Kakamega High School talent development hub.

The 2022-2023 fourth-best scorer in the Football Kenya Federation Division One Zone B league on nine goals was passed ineligible for the tournament alongside midfield duo of Erick Ouma and Simon Masinza on claims of double registration on NEMIS education portal and age cheating.

The 16-year-old attacker as per the FIFA Connect portal says the case has denied him a chance of showcasing his talent to the nation, and the world at large, as he had high hopes of impressing a number of scouts flocking Bukhungu for talent identification.

"We had prepared him well and after that impressive run from the zonal level to regional he was sure of convincing scouts with what he was to offer and may be secure scholarships for himself," added Anjira.

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Mark, who has come through the youth ranks at Green Commandos from the age of nine years, is optimistic a solution will soon be reached to allow him take part in East Africa with the eagles of Shinyalu having advanced to the coveted East Africa region stage after hammering Agoro Sare 5-1 in the third-place playoff.

"I am hopeful a solution will be found soon and I will be back on the field scoring goals to help my team," said the attacker who has attracted interest from multiple Football Kenya Federation Premier League clubs.

The form four student at Shanderema is also hopeful of sealing a deal to top-flight football in the ongoing player registration window as he confirmed that Kariobangi Sharks are in for his services having previously trained with the youth team on various occasions.

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He is however not in a hurry to commit his future elsewhere with sole focus on the forthcoming national examination.

"I have offers but just focusing on Green Commandos and K.C.S.E as my camp deal on them and soon will guide me on the next step,” he stated.

Shaban was one the breakthrough talents in the concluded third tier campaign hitting the net nine times despite featuring fifteen times due to school engagements and is characterized with his astonishing pace, shot power and composure inside the opponents' penalty box that gives him an advantage over his peers.

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