Shabana in 2025: A season of belief, turbulence, and visible growth

Shabana marked a complete year in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) in 2025, with the team showing stability and steadily positioning itself in discussions among the league’s top-tier contenders.

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The year also witnessed the return of Torebobe players to the national team fold, while the club made significant strides in the transfer window, bringing in talent that strengthened the squad.

Their loyal fan base never abandoned the team, whether on the Coast or in Kakamega, walking with the club as they always have since their days in the lower tiers.

Mozzart Sport Kenya highlights some of the most significant impacts the year had on Torebobe.

A strong opening that immediately raised expectations

Shabana began their 2025 FKF Premier League campaign with an energy that suggested a club eager to announce its return to the elite rather than quietly adjust to it.

The season opener at a packed Gusii Stadium ended in a thrilling 4-2 victory over APS Bomet, a result that instantly lifted the mood around the club and set a competitive tone.

Brian Michira delivered a statement performance, scoring twice and dictating play with maturity and confidence, while Austin Odongo’s off-the-ball movement and willingness to press from the front gave Shabana a cutting edge that APS struggled to contain.

That win was followed by a disciplined 1-0 away victory against Bandari and a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Tusker, results that briefly pushed Shabana into early-season prominence and reinforced the sense that the club was building something credible.

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Home form that sustained belief across the season

Gusii Stadium once again proved to be Shabana’s strongest weapon in 2025, both emotionally and competitively.

The club secured several crucial home wins, including an emphatic 1-0 triumph over Bidco United, a match that stood out for its authority and attacking clarity against one of the league’s more established sides.

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However, the home campaign was not without painful moments.

Shabana surrendered points in matches they had controlled, including a 2-1 defeat to AFC Leopards after taking the lead, a narrow 1-0 loss to Mathare United, and a 2-1 fall to Posta Rangers, results that exposed lingering issues in game management.

Even so, Tore Bobe collected the majority of their points at Gusii immediately after the slump, winning multiple matches against direct competitors and turning home fixtures into genuine occasions, though they did pick most of their maximum wins from away games.

Brian Michira and Austin Odongo carry club and country duties

Brian Michira, Keith Imbali, and Austin Odongo were not only central to Shabana’s league campaign but also carried their form onto the international stage during the year.

Both players earned call-ups to the national setup for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a recognition of their consistency and influence at the club level.

Their involvement in CHAN added to Shabana’s visibility nationally; their selection served as validation of Shabana’s project and reinforced the club’s role as a platform for national team-caliber players.

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Shock signings that signaled ambition

Midway through the season, Shabana made decisive moves in the transfer market that caught the attention of the league.

The acquisition of Keith Imbali and Biron Ochieng from Kariobangi Sharks was widely viewed as a statement of intent, adding experience and tactical balance to the squad.

Imbali’s calm presence in midfield improved Shabana’s ability to retain possession under pressure, while Ochieng offered defensive depth and versatility during a demanding run of fixtures.

These signings shifted the perception of Shabana from a survival candidate to a club willing to compete strategically.

Away fixtures that tested resilience and maturity

Away from Kisii, Shabana endured a more uneven journey. Early losses in Nairobi and the Coast revealed familiar challenges, with concentration lapses and slow starts often proving costly.

Matches that were evenly balanced for long spells slipped away late, highlighting the difficulty of grinding out results on hostile ground.

As the season matured, however, Shabana showed growth. A gritty 1-0 away win against Ulinzi Stars marked a turning point, demonstrating improved defensive organization and patience.

Later, a commanding 3-1 victory away to KCB stood out as one of the club’s most complete performances of the season, signaling a team that had learned how to manage tempo and punish mistakes even away from home.

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Technical bench continuity and leadership

Throughout 2025, Shabana benefited from continuity on the technical bench under head coach Peter Okidi, with assistant coaches, including Bernard Mwalala, providing stability and tactical support.

Rather than frequent changes, the club stuck with a defined structure, even during difficult spells.

While injuries and suspensions occasionally forced reshuffles, the technical team avoided reactionary decisions, choosing instead to refine systems gradually.

This approach allowed players to grow into roles and contributed to the team’s improved cohesion in the latter stages of the season.

Player movement with named departures and arrivals

Shabana’s squad evolution in 2025 was measured and intentional.

While headline arrivals such as Imbali and Ochieng strengthened the team, the club also experienced notable departures.

Mathew Tegeisi’s move to Tanzania stood out as a significant exit, marking a step forward in his career and reflecting Shabana’s ability to develop players attractive to clubs beyond Kenya’s borders.

Other fringe players exited quietly after struggling to adapt to the physical and tactical demands of the Premier League, a process that helped streamline the squad rather than destabilize it.

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Hooliganism and the Gor Mahia incident that overshadowed football

One of the darkest moments of the season occurred during the high-profile fixture involving Gor Mahia, when clashes between rival supporters turned a football occasion into a security crisis.

Sections of Shabana supporters were attacked, with stones thrown and panic spreading within Gusii Stadium, resulting in injuries and significant disruption.

The incident forced renewed debate about crowd management and security planning at high-risk fixtures and cast an uncomfortable shadow over a season that had otherwise been defined by progress on the pitch.

Shabana Day and the power of identity

Away from competitive fixtures, Shabana Day emerged as a powerful symbol of the club’s cultural and community strength.

The event brought together former players, supporters, and stakeholders, reinforcing the bond between the club and its fan base.

It also served as a reminder that Shabana’s relevance extends beyond league standings, rooted deeply in identity pride and collective memory, elements that continue to sustain the club during challenging moments.

Finances strong crowds but measured ambition

Financially, Shabana benefited from one of the league’s most reliable fan bases, with Gusii Stadium regularly generating strong gate collections that surpassed many rivals.

Combined with SportPesa sponsorship, the club enjoyed relative stability, allowing it to meet operational obligations and invest selectively in the squad.

However, the realities of travel logistics, player welfare, and league compliance meant that even strong matchday revenue was not sufficient to remove financial pressure entirely, reinforcing the need for disciplined planning.

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End-of-year scare involving the technical bench

The year ended on a sobering note when head coach Peter Okidi and assistant Bernard Mwalala were involved in a road accident while travelling in a personal vehicle to Kitale for the December holidays.

Though both escaped without life-threatening injuries, the incident shook the club emotionally and briefly halted off-season planning, reminding everyone of the human vulnerability behind the game.

No silverware, but belief and intent firmly established.

Shabana closed the 2025 season without lifting a trophy, but the campaign ended with belief rather than frustration.

The team showed clear intent to compete, matched top sides in key fixtures, and laid foundations that suggested a genuine push for honors was no longer unrealistic but approaching.

Final reflection

Shabana FC’s 2025 season was not defined by silverware but by direction.

It was a year that tested structure, discipline, and resilience, while confirming that the club is steadily transitioning from a historic name reclaiming relevance into a competitive force with clear ambition.