Shabana boss hopes to seal loopholes ahead of Sharks contest

Shabana’s major undoing in the past three Football Kenya Federation Premier League matches has been conceding goals deep into stoppage time.

The league returnees let in a goal in the season’s opener against Murang’a Seal and went on to concede late goals against FC Talanta and Kenya Police in rounds two and three respectively.

The team is yet to claim maximum points in the league thus far thanks to the late goals they have been conceding.

The consistency is letting in late goals is one that compelled coach Sammy Okoth to change tact in a bid to avoid a repeat of similar phenomenon in round four against Kariobangi Sharks.

Inside Posta's remarkable start in 2023-2024 FKFPL season

Heading to the game, Okoth is fully convinced that the costly lapses in concentration in the closing stages of matches has been cured by the training sessions they have had.

“Conceding late goals three times in a row has been frustrating. The boys have been losing concentration and getting punished for it. I am however, confident that the work we have put in and the team talk will save the day,” said Okoth.

The former Zoo FC tactician who inspired the club to clinch the National Super League and a return to the top flight after 17 years in the cold, counselled his boys to maintain sharp focus until the final whistle is blasted.

“The biggest problem has been resting on our laurels before the final whistle goes. I have talked to the players on the significance of concentrating throughout,” stated Okoth.

Harambee Stars drop four places in latest ranking

Besides the training sessions and team talk, Okoth challenged the senior players who joined the team in the off-season transfer window to hold the hands of the rest and see the club recover from the poor start.

“We brought in players with top flight experience so as to help the rest adapt and win matches. Most of them were unavailable in the past rounds but I am counting on them to use their experience to the advantage of the team going forward,” added Okoth.