Shabana coach offers apology after bitter home loss to AFC Leopards

Shabana FC head coach Peter Okidi has apologized to the club’s fanbase following his team’s poor run of form that has seen them lose three home games in a row.

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Okidi, in a long post on his social media account on Thursday 30 October, took full responsibility for the team’s poor performance witnessed so far this season, promising to make more efforts to get the side back on track.

Having begun the campaign with two straight wins, the Glamour Boys have in recent weeks hit one of their worst slumps in close to a year, going winless in their last four matches.

Their latest step-back came on Wednesday, 29 October, when Shabana gave up a 1-0 lead at their home perch Gusii Stadium to lose 2-1 to AFC Leopards, a result that was met by anger from the fanbase who chanted “Okidi Must Go.”

Speaking to Azam Tv shortly after the match, Okidi shot right back at the disappointed fans, saying: “Right now there will be a lot of criticism. There are a lot of fans who I think just come to make noise inside the stadium. We will rise up.”

Asked about the chants met at him following his side’s third straight defeat, the former Nakuru Bucks tactician went even further saying: “We are used to them [calls for his sacking]. For us we need to work and focus on the next game.”

AFC Leopards produce late comeback to condemn Shabana to third straight home loss

It just so appears that those comments might have been in the proverbial ‘heat of the moment’, as he took to his social media hours later, to express his remorse.

“By acknowledging the frustrations and disappointment our fans have felt due to our recent poor run of results, we know we have let you down, and for that, I apologize,” Okidi wrote.

“As the head coach, I take full responsibility for the team’s performance. Football, being a game of high and low moments, this month has really been our low moment, but we believe we will rise up to our high moments, which is winning.”

Going back to Okidi’s appointment at Shabana in October last year, the current run of form is his worst at the club, but he thinks there are mitigating circumstances.

“We are facing some challenges from injuries, but that is no excuse for our lack of getting positive results,” he added.

“We are working hard to address these issues and improve our performance. We deeply appreciate your continued support and understanding, and are committed to making more efforts to get back on track. Even a candle burns itself to give light. Sacrifice is the price of significance.”

Should he remain in situ, under-fire Okidi will seek to bounce back to winning ways on Saturday, 1 November when Shabana travel to face Kariobangi Sharks at Kasarani Stadium.