The towering midfielder insists that Shabana is not feeling the pressure having never kicked a top-flight ball for 17 years.
Shabana FC midfielder Peter Maestro Ogechi has revealed his side are “not feeling the pressure” of being back in the top flight for the first time since 2006 after they frustrated AFC Leopards to a 1-1 draw at a packed Ulinzi Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon.
Leopards went ahead early after Shabana conceded a penalty which was expertly taken by Brian Yakhama, but soon equalised through Ogechi, who has created a reputation for being a goalscoring machine from his NSL days, as his goals from midfield played a huge part in helping the Gusii-based outfit to return to the top flight.
13:08 - 29.09.2023
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Leopards failed to find the back of the net in their opening three fixtures until the 2-2 draw against Kenya Police.
Speaking to Pulse Sports, Ogechi admitted that the game against Leopards was not easy considering it was a derby that came with “a lot of things”.
“It was not an easy game. It was very difficult. We thank God for getting that one point away because it was a derby and a derby comes with a lot of things,” Ogechi said.
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16:00 - 03.10.2023
FKFPL Furious Shabana coach Sammy Okoth lambasts early penalty conceded in AFC Leopards draw
Okoth was unhappy that the large crowd of Shabana fans that turned up to watch the match were not “entertained” enough because of the needless penalty they gave away.
“We thank God for the point because it will give us a good platform to prepare for the next game,” he added.
The towering midfielder insists that Shabana is not feeling the pressure considering other teams have started the league poorly and that they are practically “new” in the league, having never kicked a top-flight ball for 17 years.
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06:40 - 04.10.2023
FKFPL Why Jonathan McKinstry is having sleepless nights since Gor Mahia's shared spoils with KCB
MckInstry has admitted Gor Mahia are working on staying focused and concentrated and not in bits if they are to be as defensively resolute as they were last season.
“There is no pressure at all. We are okay because on our part, there are a lot of teams we still have to play, and a lot of other teams have not started well as well.
“We are still new in this league and we are still adapting to a higher level after 17 years out of it. We are preparing ourselves well and I am optimistic that we will do well.”
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06:34 - 03.10.2023
FKFPL Fred Ambani concerned by AFC Leopards' winless start to season
Having drawn four and lost one of their opening five fixtures, Ambani is worried his charges are yet to win a single league game ahead of a crunch game against Gor Mahia next weekend.
The midfielder scored 14 goals in the NSL last season, with all of them being netted in multiple ways. Some were bullet headers and others were balls that were struck from distance, underpinning his completeness.
As one of the side’s star players, he is carrying the hopes on numerous Shabana fans, who will be hoping he can maintain his momentum in the top flight where he has already netted two league goals to help the side maintain its momentum.