{"id":5730,"date":"2014-12-01T13:11:44","date_gmt":"2014-12-01T13:11:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gormahia.net\/latest\/?p=5730"},"modified":"2014-12-01T13:13:17","modified_gmt":"2014-12-01T13:13:17","slug":"gor-mahia-to-play-shabana-on-jamhuri-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gormahia.net\/latest\/news\/gor-mahia-to-play-shabana-on-jamhuri-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Gor Mahia to play Shabana on Jamhuri day"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When the two teams last met, Gor Mahia whitewashed Shabana 6-0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gor Mahia will be in Kisumu on Jamhuri day to play against newly promoted Shabana FC.\u00a0 Shabana Chairman Jared Nivaton is excited about the prospect of using this opportunity to market his team to potential fans.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to give our fans an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful game yet show their rivalry and passion for their teams; I am sure this will be a huge one and of course we want to win against Gor,\u201d Nivaton told goal.com<\/p>\n

Shabana coach Gilbert Selebwa for his part is eager to use the match to prepare his team for the premier league.<\/p>\n

The choice of Kisumu as a venue for this match is ideal for promoting an intra-provincial rivalry.<\/p>\n

Nivaton is eager to exact revenge following his sides crushing 6-0 defeat to Gor Mahia in the GoTV shield.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis could be the time to get our revenge for the poor result we got last time out but the big one is coming next season. Let the fans enjoy this Jamhuri Day treat of football at its best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shabana is the latest team to be promoted to the premier league by hook or by crook. They were given 12 points free while their challengers like league leading West Kenya Sugar and second placed Agro-Chemical were docked points under dubious circumstances. The same scenario played out when Nakuru All Stars were promoted in 2013 and when AFC Leopards were promoted a few years back. Fans easily forget that when AFC were promoted, it was Eldoret Mahakama who had actually won the league but Sam Obingo the then KFF chairman docked them points under dubious circumstances.<\/p>\n

However unlike Nakuru All Stars, Shabana are not wasting their opportunity. They have gone on a signing spree seeking experienced players like former Gor Mahia midfielder Andrew Ongwae.<\/p>\n

They are also eager to explore other avenues for revenue<\/p>\n

\u201cThis marks the beginning of the process to reposition corporate that is Shabana FC to ensure it is where it belongs right at the top of the pack. Shabana comes from a community that is so full of life and colour, with a fantastic support of more than one million fans, so they are not just the third force but a serious force to reckon with in Kenyan football.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among the avenues Shabana is already pursuing is jersey sales.<\/p>\n

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Shabana modeling their new jerseys : Image courtesy of goal.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is an area where Gor Mahia can learn from Shabana because it appears Gor Mahiahas forgotten how popular the “Gor Mahia” labeled jerseys were in 2010.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Transfer News<\/h3>\n

Gor Mahia made what appears to be their first signing of the 2014 season. They have signed AFC Leopards defender Jackson Saleh.\u00a0 This according to a report on futaa.com<\/p>\n

The 25 year old Saleh previously played for Western Stima. He is capable of playing multiple positions in defence. He is a solid tackler, is composed and is a good passer. He was a nominee for defender of the year.\u00a0 He is a timely replacement for David Owino “Calabar” whom reports suggest is headed to El Merreikh of Sudan.<\/p>\n

Other unconfirmed reports suggest that Dan Sserunkuma pocketed a total of Ksh 8 million for his transfer to Simba.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile former Gor Mahia defender Eric “PPO” Masika has been axed by AFC Leopards along with 6 other players whom AFC coach Peter de Jongh considered surplus to requirements.<\/p>\n

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