Why Shabana will be forced to play some home matches away from Kisii next season

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FOOTBALL Why Shabana will be forced to play some home matches away from Kisii next season

Joel Omotto 17:38 - 11.07.2023

Tore Bobe are exploring alternative venues to host their Premier League fixtures after what was witnessed at Gusii Stadium last weekend.

Shabana FC will be forced to play some of their home matches away from Gusii Stadium due to the expected high number of supporters who might not fit into the 5,000-seater facility.

The club got a glimpse of what to expect when a sea of people poured onto the pitch to celebrate the club’s title-winning victory when they beat Kisumu All Stars 2-0 to be crowned National Super League (NSL) champions last Saturday.

It is a scene that left the club’s hierarchy delighted but worried at the same time.

Following their promotion to the Premier League, Tore Bobe will play host to both Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, who enjoy massive support, and the club feels the Gusii Stadium might not be enough or safe to host such high-risk matches.

“Those who were at Gusii Stadium are not even half of those who did not make it in. Even if it was Kasarani Stadium, we would have filled it,” Shabana Secretary General Nyanchoka Kerama told Pulse Sports.

“It was an eye-opener. Now we know with that kind of capacity, if a match like that comes up, we cannot host it at Gusii unless the stadium has been improved in one way or another.

“If Gor Mahia meet Shabana for example, Kasarani would be full to the brim. It is actually a good thing, especially if the clubs have transparency.

“Gate collections have been helping us a lot at Shabana. When the clubs account for every cent, it can help take care of the players’ welfare. That is why we need good stadiums that can carry a huge number of fans.”

Being a community club, Shabana are one of the most supported teams in the country and their fans displayed this in the just-concluded season, turning out in large numbers to push the players.

The players responded by posting impressive performances that earned them promotion back to the Premier League after 17 years in the cold.

Gusii Stadium is, however, ill-equipped to host highly-charged matches while its limited capacity means not many can be allowed in, presenting a headache of some sort for Shabana.

With the region lacking a stadium capable of hosting such matches, Shabana might be forced to shift some of their matches to Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums on Nairobi.