Harambee Stars Goalkeeper on Why Yanga, Simba SC Are Miles Ahead of Gor Mahia, Shabana and Co

Harambee Stars goalkeeper Farouk Shikhalo has opened up about what Gor Mahia, Shabana and AFC Leopards, among other Kenya Premier League clubs, must learn from Tanzania’s Simba SC and Yanga.

Farouk Shikhalo established a significant career path across various Kenyan clubs before making the move to Tanzanian football giants Young Africans Sports Club (Yanga SC) in 2019.

Farouk Shikhalo's journey began in 2012 at Muhoroni Youth, followed by a brief spell in 2013, where he played for both KRA FC (now Ushuru FC) and FC Talanta.

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He then signed with Tusker FC, where he played from 2014 to 2015 and then returned for a second tenure with Muhoroni Youth from 2015 to 2016.

In 2017, Farouk Shikhalo moved to Posta Rangers, before signing with Bandari FC in 2018 and played a crucial role until 2019. During his impactful spell with Bandari, he achieved notable success, including being named the best goalkeeper in the local league twice.

His excellent performances in the KPL ultimately paved the way for the high-profile transfer to Young Africans SC in Tanzania.

Farouk Shikhalo reflected on his time at Bandari FC, saying that he truly enjoyed playing for the club, particularly after winning two awards in 2018 and 2019.

He explained that in 2019, following Kenya’s qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), he was selected for the national team.

Farouk Shikhalo added that during their AFCON campaign in Egypt, Tanzanian giants Yanga SC approached him once again with a strong offer.

He went on to note that Tanzanian fans have a deep passion for their football, highlighting how supporters of clubs like Simba and Yanga are especially devoted and regularly turn out in large numbers to cheer on their teams.

“I enjoyed playing for Bandari after winning two awards in 2018 and 2019…in 2019, Kenya had qualified for AFCON, and I had been chosen because I had been called up to the national team since 2015. We went to Egypt for AFCON, and Yanga came again, and they brought a good contract,” Farouk Shikhalo told Alex Mwakideu TV.

“I was still in contract with Bandari, and they negotiated and then paid the club Ksh 2.5 million, and then I took my share. Tanzanians love their league a lot, and they always go to watch their favourite teams. Tanzanians are passionate about their football, especially Simba and Yanga.”

Farouk Shikhalo noted that Kenya’s football is moving in the right direction, but admitted that Tanzania has outpaced them when it comes to marketing and packaging their league.

He emphasised that, while Kenya boasts greater raw talent, Tanzania has mastered how to present and promote its football to wider audiences.

He added that the level of professionalism in Tanzania, especially during player unveilings, was impressive, recalling how he was introduced to fans in front of a sold-out stadium, something he has yet to see fully replicated in Kenya, though clubs like Shabana, Gor Mahia, and AFC Leopards are making notable progress.

“Right now, Kenya is heading in the right direction, but one thing that they have beaten us to is marketing. They know how to package their league. In terms of talent, we have it more than them. I was in Yanga for two seasons,” he added.

“In terms of achievements, I didn’t get a lot; we never won major trophies. I gained international experience. In terms of their unveiling, I don’t think there is a team in Kenya I have seen do such things, Shabana, Gor Mahia and AFC are trying though. I was unveiled in front of a sold-out stadium.”

Farouk Shikhalo believes that for Kenyan football to reach the same commercial and professional heights as Tanzania’s top clubs, there must be a stronger focus on marketing, fan engagement, and presentation.

He noted that while Kenya continues to produce exceptional talent, the missing link lies in how the game is packaged and promoted.

According to Shikhalo, if local teams can emulate the passion, structure, and professionalism of Tanzanian clubs like Yanga and Simba, then the Kenya Premier League can regain its former glory and become one of the most respected leagues in the region.