‘Show us what you have done’ - Shabana boss fires back at Nyamweya

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FOOTBALL ‘Show us what you have done’ - Shabana boss fires back at Nyamweya

Joel Omotto 07:00 - 14.08.2023

Tore Bobe officials have dismissed the former FKF boss as a ‘busy body’ meant to destabilise the club after failing to support them while they were struggling.

Shabana FC chairman Jared Nivaton has dismissed former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) boss Sam Nyamweya as a ‘busy body’ after he questioned the sponsorship deal the club signed with betting company Bangbet.

Tore Bobe finally unveiled the long-awaited Ksh20 million one-year sponsorship with the betting firm on Sunday, hours after Nyamweya had distanced himself from it, claiming there was no ‘proper consultation.’

The bone of contention is that Nyamweya feels he has been edged out as Shabana patron after the club declared Kisii Governor Simba Arati as the holder of that position in June.

The former FKF boss has insisted he is the bonafide holder of the position hence his latest sentiments but Nivaton dismissed him as a ‘troublemaker’ while explaining why the club settled on Arati as their patron.

“A patron is supposed to be a resourceful person that will steer the club going forward. We will no longer politicise the issue of patron of Shabana,” Nivaton said on Sunday while unveiling the sponsorship.

“Our governor came, he gave us the stadium for free, he has stood with us and supported the club. He has gone further and brought a sponsor to Shabana. What else do we need to call him a patron?

“If there is any person out there who wants to be a patron of Shabana, you are welcome. Just come and top up and we shall consider you. But from now, and I speak with authority as the chairman and officials and fans of Shabana, we only have one patron.”

Nyamweya has repeatedly insisted that he was ‘duly elected’ patron of the club following an Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in 2011.

Shabana returned to the Premier League after 17 years in the lower divisions and are hoping for fruitful campaign in the top tier following the cash injection.

The partnership is a huge boost to coach Sammy Okoth who lamented last week that lack of clarity over the matter has delayed his pre-season plans since he did not know if and when the new players he has identified will be registered.

Shabana officials confirmed that their new players will now be unveiled, having so far netted defenders Hillary Ndombi, Price Ayieko, Michael Wandera, and Rodgers Aloro, goalkeeper Michael Wanyika, midfielder Mark Okola, and striker Johanna Mwita, all who have been training with the team.

Besides the Ksh20 million, the betting firm will also fully kit the team and offer balls while there has been a promise of an extra Ksh10 million if the Glamour Boys win the Premier League title next season.

Shabana will begin their Premier League campaign against fellow newly-promoted side Murang’a Seal on August 27 at the Narok Stadium.