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Shabana FC may have returned to the top flight less than two years ago but they are offering established rivals Gor Mahia and Leopards great management lessons.
While Gor Mahia could only manage Ksh160,000 in matchday revenue from their match against FC Talanta on Thursday, rivals Shabana have not had such problems this season.
Gor Mahia recorded one of their lowest amounts in gate collections this season due to a number of factors, key among them being fan apathy over the team’s recent inconsistent run, and the fact that the match was played on a weekday.
However, Gor Mahia fans can perhaps learn from their Shabana counterparts as they have stayed loyal to Tore Bobe even before the team started flying like they are currently.
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Having been promoted for the first time in 17 years, Shabana fought relegation for most of the 2023-24 season but their supporters never abandoned them while they keep filling match venues on both weekdays and weekends.
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13:00 - 25.04.2025
Gor Mahia Earn Meagre Sh160K from Talanta Game as Fan Turnout Plummets
Gor Mahia have published their first gate revenue collection report since 2019 when they earned 2.45 million in earnings after a Mashemeji Derby, but their first report showed meagre returns during shock loss to FC Talanta.
This has been seen again this season with the Shabana supporters showing great loyalty to their team both at their home ground of Gusii Stadium or away.
The result have been record revenues collected on match days with the club making close to Ksh5 million in three home matches played between the start of March and beginning of April.
Shabana realised Ksh1,184,600 on March 2, when they hosted Kakamega Homeboyz, a match they won 4-1, before they set a new record on March 30, collecting Ksh1,803,900 during their 3-0 thrashing of Murang’a Seal.
They made it even better on April 6, banking Ksh1,817,000, as they beat Bandari FC 3-1, for a total of Ksh4,805,500 from their three home matches during that one-month period.
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13:34 - 31.03.2025
Shabana break gate collection record in thumping win over Murang'a Seal at Gusii Stadium
Shabana fans’ backing of their team remains relentless after pushing the club to a record amount in matchday revenue from their big win over Murang’a Seal on Sunday.
All these are results of meticulous planning, fan mobilisation and transparency and there is no denying that the interest has gone even higher now that Shabana are winning consistently, sitting fourth on the table, six points behind FKF Premier League leaders Kenya Police.
“The management was never open in the past but we made a commitment that we will be transparent with our fans and players,” Shabana secretary general Elizaphan Kerama told Pulse Sports.
“Every home match, each ticket is verified between those collected and the ones distributed and this is done by the branch chairmen. After the match, they do a return to determine how many were sold and those that did not and everybody is accountable.”
Shabana are also embracing technology in their ticketing while their decision to publicly reveal amounts realised from each home match has won them the trust of fans.
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16:15 - 23.04.2025
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It is something AFC Leopards have also been doing but it appears the Glamour Boys have made it even better while there exists trust between the Shabana management and fans, something the Ingwe hierarchy is struggling with.
Gor Mahia have acknowledged they have been left behind on this front and are ready to learn from their rivals.
“It’s the way to go. Our competitors, Shabana and AFC Leopards, they're ahead of us,” newly-elected Gor Mahia secretary general Nick Arum said this week.
“We’re seeing what was being done in the gates. Everybody now wants to manage the gates, and we also have the old guards."
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20:18 - 23.04.2025
AFC Leopards Coach Identifies Youngster to Solve Ingwe’s Goal-scoring Crisis
AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani feels a young striker, who recently returned from a loan spell, can help solve their lack of goals despite his inexperience.
Shabana have surely set the bar high and the ball is now in their rivals’ court.
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