Sammy Okoth makes surprise U-turn after heading towards Shabana exit door

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FKFPL: Sammy Okoth makes surprise U-turn after heading towards Shabana exit door

Festus Chuma 10:00 - 26.09.2023

Sammy Okoth, after hinting at leaving Shabana due to late-match concessions, makes a surprising U-turn, expressing renewed faith in his team.

Shabana FC  head coach Sammy Okoth  has retracted his earlier statements about possibly leaving the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) team.

This shift follows a series of disappointing results for the Glamour Boys who are yet to claim a victory after their commendable rise to the top-tier league.

Shabana have had a challenging introduction to the FKFPL, conceding goals during the last moments in all four of their matches this season.

In their season opener, a heart-wrenching last-minute goal by Murang’a Seal's Batts Awita stole their joy. Their follow-up game with FC Talanta saw a repeat of the same, with the opposition scoring in the initial minute of added time.

Although Shabana swiftly equalized against Talanta , their third encounter, this time against Kenya Police FC, also ended in a late concession.

However, the most significant blow came in their recent game against Kariobangi Sharks where the familiar pattern of conceding in the dying moments played out yet again, driving the visibly frustrated Okoth to hint at a possible departure from the team. 

"I feel very uncomfortable because there is nothing much I can do to change it again," he voiced on Sunday. "Maybe someone else should come and try it because I have tried to ensure that every moment is paid keen attention to and that everything is okay, only to concede at the last minute again."

Insiders from the club have divulged that after these statements, the management went into an intensive meeting with Okoth, persuading him to stay at the helm, especially as they gear up for their crucial weekend clash against AFC Leopards.

The outcome? A significant change in tone.

The team is in good spirits and I believe my players will not let me down in the next assignment,” Okoth declared on Monday, as cited in an official statement from the club. He further added, "It is a collective responsibility from the technical bench to the players. I am, however, not impressed with how we concede in the last minutes. We are working around the clock to address the weakness."

With a mere two points from a possible twelve in their kitty after the first four matches, fans are growing restless and are beginning to wonder when they will witness Shabana's maiden victory this season. 

Such late losses are undeniably disheartening, but for the team to thrive in this competitive league, keeping their focus unwavering till the final whistle is imperative.

Sammy Okoth’s journey with Shabana began in February 2022 and under his leadership, the team experienced a resurgence, marking their return to the FKF Premier League after a prolonged 17-year hiatus. 

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