New Shabana goalkeeper Bixente Otieno/ANGWENYI GICHANAShabana FC have stepped up preparations for the 2026/27 SportPesa Premier League season by strengthening their squad following the unveiling of a new technical bench.
The Glamour Boys have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Bixente Lizarazu Otieno from Posta Rangers to replace last season’s Golden Glove winner Stephen Ochieng, who completed a move to Tanzania Premier League side Pamba Jiji on Sunday.
Also joining the Kisii-based outfit is attacking midfielder Sigmunn Maina, who arrives from Swedish club AIK Framtid FK. Maina previously featured for Kariobangi Sharks before returning to Kenya, where he turned out for non-league side Kuta Collections in the Mozzart Bet Cup.
Former Nairobi United central defender Daniel Bichiok has also signed for Shabana. The South Sudan international fills the gap left by Wycliffe Omondi, popularly known as Awiko, who has moved to Nairobi City Stars.
Shabana Secretary General, Elizaphan Kerama, said the club intends to recruit up to 10 new players during the current transfer window after releasing 15 members of last season’s squad.
“Most of our key players have already renewed their contracts. So far, we have only released defender Awiko to Nairobi City Stars,” said Kerama. Meanwhile, the club’s newly appointed technical bench officially begins work on Monday at Cardinal Otunga Senior School in Mosocho.
Head coach Ahmed Ibrahim of Egypt, assistant coach Hesborn Nyabinge and Rwandan fitness coach Hatagekimana Corneille arrived in Kisii on Sunday after being unveiled at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday.
They will work alongside Andrew Ongwae in the technical team. The coaches held introductory meetings with players and club officials ahead of the first training session.
The squad reported to camp last week and completed medical examinations at Oasis Hospital in Kisii. “We are ready to start our pre-season. The technical bench is already in place, and we are in the process of beefing up the team,” Kerama added.
Shabana will later this month embark on a pre-season tour of Tanzania, where they are scheduled to play friendly matches against Azam FC, Coastal Union and Pamba Jiji as they fine-tune preparations for the new campaign.
