Highly-rated teenager picks Gor Mahia over AFC Leopards

26th January 2024 - by Tony Kipkorir

The player was officially unveiled by Gor on Thursday.

Mark Shaban. PHOTO| Gor Mahia
SUMMARY
  • Shaban was on the verge of signing for Gor Mahia's arch-rivals AFC Leopards, having trained with them for several days, but he changed his mind and joined the current league leaders.
  • The 17-year-old was one of the stars during the secondary ball games last year as he helped Friends School Shanderema qualify for the East Africa School Games which was staged in Rwanda.
  • Shaban is expected to fight for the starting position with the likes of leading FKFPL goal scorer Benson Omala.

Talented forward Mark Shaban has penned a deal with Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) defending champions Gor Mahia FC.

Shaban was on the verge of signing for Gor Mahia's arch-rivals AFC Leopards, having trained with them for several days, but he changed his mind and joined the current league leaders.

The 17-year-old was one of the stars during the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) ball games last year as he helped Friends School Shanderema qualify for the East Africa School Games which was staged in Rwanda.

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It is in Rwanda where Shaban caught the headlines, producing some spectacular displays. He managed to bag a brilliant hat-trick in a match against Tanzania-based learning institution Kalangalala and in the process guided his team to registering a huge 4-1 win.

Shaban’s former side Green Commandos Sports Club have wished him the best of luck as he begins a new journey.

“Congratulations Mark Shaban on signing up at Gor Mahia. We appreciate your growth under our club and the immense contribution you added to the club. All the best lad,” read a statement posted on their Facebook page.

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At K'Ogalo, Shaban is expected to fight for the starting position with the likes of leading FKFPL goal scorer Benson Omala, who has netted nine goals so far and Ugandan international Patrick Henry Kaddu.

Besides Shaban, the Jonathan McKinstry coached side have also acquired the signature of two other players in a bid to strengthen the star-studded squad.

Skillful wingers Sheriff Musa and Enock Wanyama have joined Gor Mahia from Bidco United and Taiwan-based club Leopard Cat respectively. 

Gor Mahia currently sit at the top of the FKFPL log with 43 points, 10 more than second-placed Tusker FC. The club which is yet to register a defeat since the start of the season have won 12 matches including five consecutive ones and picked up seven draws. 

K’Ogalo is scheduled to play Police FC in their next league match slated for Saturday, February 3.

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