Shabana coach calls for response after loss to Murang'a Seal

Shabana FC head coach Sam Okoth says there is no cause for alarm after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Murang’a Seal FC in their opening match of the season at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homabay.

A Batts Awita stoppage-time goal handed the visitors maximum points, much to the disappointment of the home supporters that had thronged the stadium to watch their team grace Kenya’s top tier for the first time in 17 years.

Next for Shabana is a Friday match against FC Talanta at the Nyayo National Stadium.

This will be a chance for the Glamour Boys to redeem themselves when they come up against Ken Kenyatta’s men, who secured a point in a barren draw against the AFC Leopards on Sunday at Nyayo Stadium.

Speaking after the match, Okoth downplayed the significance of the loss, saying they will now be looking to bounce back on Friday. He exuded confidence that they would get the job done.

"Friday, we’re going to put on a great performance against FC Talanta to try to win the game. Losing is always an opportunity to bounce back and show how much we want to win KPL, and that is what we are fighting for," he said.

On his part, forward Vincent Nyabuto Socha echoed the tactician’s sentiments, saying that they are going to bounce back and calling on the team to stock together.

"We are going to bounce back. We know our team; we know our qualities, and we are going to stick together. We are a family, and we are going to fight until the end."

Friday’s meeting will be the first top-flight clash between Talanta and Shabana.

Talanta coach Ken Kenyatta is a former Shabana FC goalkeeper.

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