Ulinzi Stars head coach Danstun Nyaudo has explained why he thinks Shabana under the tutelage of Sammy Omolo ‘Pamzo’ have the potential to upset the odds and surprise many this season despite dropping all three points at the very last minute to his charges on Sunday.
In what was a very dramatic clash that was overshadowed by refereeing controversies, with so much added time, Ulinzi salvaged a 2-2 draw after Glen Wafula headed in a late equaliser from a corner kick, leaving the Shabana faithful deflated and angry.
Shabana themselves had clawed back from a goal down and were winning 2-1 thanks to a Mathew Tegisi brace, but will now be forced to wait a little bit longer before they can get their first win of the season, having drawn the first two.
Shabana thought they clawed back from an early setback to put Ulinzi Stars 2-1 thanks to two towering bullet headers from Matthew Tegisi, but Glen Wafula would restore parity in the last minute to salvage a draw.
After the match, Ulinzi Stars head coach Danstun Nyaudo took a moment to reflect on Shabana’s potential under the guidance of coach Sammy Omolo ‘Pamzo’.
Nyaudo acknowledged their effective recruitment strategy this summer and the motivation stemming from a new partnership deal with SportPesa, which he believes has bolstered their squad quality.
“I think Shabana has recruited so well,” Nyaudo commented. “With a good sponsor, you often attract quality players,” he added.
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Nyaudo expressed frustration over the inexperience within his own squad, highlighting that many of his recruits are new to the top tier of competition.
“Just look at their roster compared to mine; we have a number of young players stepping up from Division 2 and Division 1.”
“Almost entirely, my squad consists of players just coming from lower divisions. But I know that with time, we’ll develop a strong team.”
Despite Ulinzi’s rocky start to the season, managing only one point from two matches, Nyaudo remains optimistic about their prospects. He noted the creative flair exhibited by his players, suggesting that once the team starts to gel and the newcomers gain experience, they could pose a greater threat in attack.
“It’s too early for me to say we don’t have a good side. The positive is that we are creating chances,” he added. “I always believe in the process. It gives players time to grow. This match had a big crowd, and I expected my players to panic. They didn’t; they played well and maintained the tempo. I’m especially pleased that they equalized towards the end.”
As the season progresses, both sides will be looking to convert their hard work into results, with the hope of surprising many in the league.