Former Leopards man ready to make a mark at Shabana

Former AFC Leopards centre-back Prince Ayieko may be only three weeks old at newly promoted Shabana FC but already feels the team is properly being built ahead of its return season to the top flight FKF Premier League.

Roped in alongside other seasoned names like Rodgers Aloro and Johanna Mwita, Ayieko joins a team that is rich in people he has rubbed shoulders with.

‘’The team is very good,’’ he says. ‘’The coach has been building a team that is able to compete in the top flight and as a new player here, I’m impressed with the way pre-season is going on.’’

Ayieko joins his former Coach Sammy Okoth, the one that gave him his premier league debut when the duo was at Vihiga United. He recalls vividly, saying this instills some confidence in him ahead of the new campaign.

‘’I’m familiar with the coach so tactics will not be a challenge to me when settling in. He was the one who gave me my premier league debut, a game against AFC Leopards when we were at United. It’s a reunion which I’m very pleased with. Most of my former teammates at United are also here so that makes settling in a little easier,’’ he adds.

The 24 year old, after leaving Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, joined Vihiga United and played only one season before being snapped up by AFC Leopards. He would soon join Nzoia Sugar guiding them to 5th position on the FKF PL table standings last season. He believes he has a lot to offer the Kisii-based side.

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‘’The whole team is quality from what I’ve observed in training. Personally, whenever called upon, I intend to solidify the defence and ensure more forward passes are played. This way we can contain many teams and have the edge in scoring,’’ he notes.

Other new faces at the club include former Zoo wingers Dennis Ongeri and former SoNy Sugar forward Salmon Agogo.

Shabana has intensified pre-season training with plenty of build-up matches. They will host Kenya Commercial Bank FC tomorrow in a friendly match at the Gusii Stadium. From here, the team plans to head to Kakamega for a series of friendlies.