Shabana axe head coach Peter Okidi after slump in form

Shabana FC have relieved head coach Peter Okidi of his duties, ending a tenure that saw the "Glamour Boys" swing from title contenders to a team struggling for consistency.

The decision, announced by the club’s board on Tuesday, follows a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Kariobangi Sharks at Gusii Stadium—a result that proved to be the final straw for the club's hierarchy and a restless fanbase.

In a statement released shortly after the match, Club President Nyatichi Niverton confirmed that the club would be moving in a "new direction" to salvage their season with assistant coach Andrew Ongwae being been tasked with leading the team on an interim basis while the search for a permanent successor begins immediately.

Okidi’s departure marks a sudden fall from grace having taken over mid-way through the previous campaign following the exit of Sammy "Pamzo" Omollo.

Okidi was initially hailed as a tactical revelation. He successfully steered the Kisii-based side away from the relegation dogfight and into the top four of the FKF Premier League.

His peak came in late 2025 when he was named the Kenya Premier League Coach of the Month for November, a period where Shabana played a high-octane, attacking style of football that reignited the "Tore Bobe" spirit.

However, the momentum stalled as the 2026 calendar year began. The cracks first appeared in a bruising 5-1 loss to AFC Leopards, followed by a string of narrow defeats and uninspired draws.

The once-impenetrable Gusii Stadium fortress began to crumble, with the recent loss to Sharks marking their third home defeat in five matches.

Fans, known for their unwavering and vocal support, had increasingly called for changes as the club slipped out of the continental qualification bracket.

"The results simply haven't matched the investment and the expectations of our supporters," a source close to the club’s management noted.
Interim boss Andrew Ongwae inherits a squad that remains talented but appears low on confidence.

His first task will be to steady the ship before a grueling run of fixtures against league leaders Gor Mahia and a rejuvenated Bandari FC guided by former Shabana assistant coach Bernard Mwalala.

While names like Anthony Akhulia and former Gor Mahia tactician Johnathan McKinstry have already been floated in social media circles, the board has remained tight-lipped on their shortlist.

For now, the "Glamour Boys" must find a way to rediscover the spark that Peter Okidi once provided, before their season slips away entirely.