Shabana head coach confident of results despite leaving team for 18 days
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 12.11.25. | 09:15
Okidi also took a moment to thank the club’s supporters for their continued loyalty and urged them to remain patient as the team builds momentum
Shabana FC head coach Peter Okidi has expressed full confidence in his assistant Bernard Mwalala leading the team in his absence as he joins the Kenya Under-17 side, dubbed Junior Stars, for the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in Ethiopia.
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Okidi will serve as assistant coach to William Muluya of Kariobangi Sharks during the regional tournament, which kicks off in Addis Ababa on Saturday, 15 November and runs until Tuesday, 2 December.
The Junior Stars are scheduled to open their campaign against Somalia on Tuesday, 18 November, before taking on Rwanda (Friday, 21 November), South Sudan (Monday, 24 November), and hosts Ethiopia (Thursday, 27 November).
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with the finalists securing the region’s two tickets to the 2026 U17 AFCON, which also serves as a pathway to the FIFA U17 World Cup.
While Okidi focuses on national duty, Mwalala will take charge of Shabana’s upcoming fixtures, including Saturday’s home clash against Nairobi United at Gusii Stadium, followed by away games against Murang’a Seal and Kenya Police FC.
“I trust the technical bench led by Mwalala. I believe they will do a good job,” said Okidi. “He was with the team last week, and we won 1-0 against Ulinzi Stars. They have done a good job, and I wish them all the best.”
Mwalala, a CAF B license holder, brings vast top-flight experience, having previously managed Bandari, Nzoia Sugar FC, and KCB FC in the FKF Premier League.
Okidi also took a moment to thank the club’s supporters for their continued loyalty and urged them to remain patient as the team builds momentum.
“I want to thank the fans for the support they always give us. They were initially upset when we lost three games at home, but the 1-0 win against Ulinzi Stars at the Ulinzi Sports Complex was a turning point for us,” he said.
Shabana had endured a four-game winless run before their victory against Ulinzi Stars, a result that lifted the Glamour Boys to seventh place on the FKF Premier League table with 11 points from eight matches.
“At the beginning of the season, we set our target to compete for the league title,” added Okidi. “It’s still achievable.”
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