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The Glamour Boys will play in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League from next season and they bring a lot of positives to the local game
Shabana finally secured their long-awaited top flight return, doing so with four games to spare following their 1-0 victory against Migori Youth at Gusii Stadium on Sunday.
Tore Bobe have been in the cold for 17 years following their relegation in 2006, and their return to the Football Kenya Federation Premier League is a welcome move for Kenyan football given the positives it brings.
The Glamour Boys are among the most supported teams in Kenya, being a community side, and they are officially ‘the third’ force after Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards among the most followed teams in the country.
It, therefore, means Kenyan football was poorer without them in the top flight, and the local game will reap big rewards with their promotion to the big time. So, how will Shabana’s promotion lift Kenyan football?
Increased rivalry, more interest
Already, the rivalry has began on social media. “Karibuni sana new freshaz,” said Bandari FC while welcoming Shabana back to the top flight.
It will get intense, especially where Gor Mahia and Leopards are involved, given the huge fanbase the three teams enjoy. This will only heighten the rivalry, making matches involving Shabana a must-watch or must-attend, which will, in turn, boost the interest in the league.
Like their Gor and Leopards counterparts, Shabana fans are also ‘loud’ and know how to paint the town red which will make Kenyan football even better.
“There will be competition between Gor and AFC Leopards on who will have more fans, which will increase attendance since the fans travel with the teams, hence increasing revenue and popularity of the league,” Shabana Secretary General Nyanchoka Kerama told Pulse Sports.
One more community team
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The Kisii community has been starved of top flight action for 17 years and now they have their own division, which will only increase their affinity for the Premier League.
Before, they would support Shabana but had to ‘adopt’ a team in the top flight. Now, all their loyalty will be to Tore Bobe.
The community has a huge population in both Kisii and Nyamira counties, added to those in the ‘diaspora’ meaning Shabana will not lack supporters whenever they play.
Shabana fans have been the backbone of the team in their promotion journey, filling up the Gusii Stadium and following them away. The number will even go higher during their Premier League run.
Another derby in the offing
The Mashemeji derby between Gor and Leopards remains the biggest match on the FKF-PL calendar, but Shabana versus K’Ogalo will also be another derby of sorts.
This is down to the fact that the two teams draw their support from neighbouring communities, Shabana from Kisii and Gor from the Luo. These two communities are drawn from the same region, meaning matches between them will be highly charged.
You do not need to look further than Sunday’s encounter between Shabana and Migori to know what to expect. The stadium was not just full, but there was a lot of tension, leading to some incidents of fan trouble.
“They know us and what to expect from us. When we meet, there will be fireworks. We are officially the third force, and when we meet, things will change,” said Kerama.
Increased revenue
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Besides Gor and Leopards, not many local sides make much from gate collections given the low number of fans who attend their matches and have to wait until K’Ogalo or Ingwe visit to make a quick buck.
This will be the case with Shabana in the league. Given that Tore Bobe supporters follow their team home and away, hosting teams will have an opportunity to cash in on the increased numbers, boosting their coffers somewhat.
“Opposing teams will also enjoy coverage from the many fans that will come in, and I believe this will help sponsors come on their own due to the increased visibility,” added Kerama.
The home team will also likely see a big jump in their matchday revenue compared to what they have been collecting while in the National Super League.
Boost to local economy
If you are already feeling the impact, then the local economy is set for a major boost next season. A football game supports a lot of people due to the opportunities it creates.
Vendors who sell foodstuffs, those who hawk merchandise, security personnel, and the transport sector that ferries people to and from the match venue are just some of those set for a big boost.
Accommodation facilities in Kisii town will also have more visitors, with hotels set to do brisk business, especially when top teams like Gor and Leopards are in town.
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