Shabana organising secretary Stephen Kiama has backed Egyptian head coach Ahmed Fathi Abdalla Ibrahim to end the club’s 26-year wait for a return to CAF competitions.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsFathi was appointed at the start of July, taking charge of a Shabana side that finished fifth in the FKF Premier League last season with 53 points from 34 matches after briefly challenging Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards for the title.The Egyptian tactician arrived following a turbulent spell that saw Peter Okidi leave the club in March 2026 after a slump in results, with Osborne Monday taking charge on an interim basis before Fathi’s appointment.##NAJAVA_MECA_9981888##Kiama believes the arrival of an Arab coach has given Tore Bobe a major boost as they target a return to either the CAF Champions League or CAF Confederation Cup.“Getting an Arab coach who accepted to come and be part of Shabana is a big advantage. I will say ten-plus chances of winning the league,” said the outspoken administrator.He pointed to Shabana’s recent matches against KCB and 3K FC as early signs of what Fathi could bring to the team.McCarthy admits work permit issues could cost him dream Manchester United job“Look at our matches against KCB; we recently played 3K FC, and he has not lost.”Kiama, however, urged Shabana supporters to give the coach time to implement his ideas rather than demanding instant results.“So our fans, let’s get behind him, and I hope we go slow with him. Let’s not be like Chelsea; they are very quick with sacking coaches. No, let’s leave him to do his work, and I think things will be well,” he said.Shabana 26/27 preview: Is Egyptian coach Fathi the man to end wait for first league title?He is confident the club can finally break its long wait for continental football this season.“Let the fans and management do their work, the coach and players, then I can assure you, wallahi bilahi, this round 2026/2027 we must play in CAF games.Any trophy, be it Premier League or Mozzart Bet Cup, we must win to be there in CAF games,” he concluded.##NAJAVA_MECA_9981531##Shabana’s most recent CAF appearance came in 2000, when they represented Kenya in the CAF Confederation Cup.They were eliminated in the first round after losing 2-0 to Sudanese side Hay Al Arab.Their previous continental campaign came in the 1988 Africa Champions Cup, where they beat Zambia’s Kabwe Warriors 1-0 at home before losing 4-1 away to exit on aggregate.McCarthy defends inclusion of suspended Gor Mahia duo in Harambee StarsThe club returned to the FKF Premier League in 2023 after a 17-year absence from the top flight.They finished 14th in their first season back before improving to fifth the following campaign, but have yet to translate their domestic progress into a return to continental competition.##NAJAVA_MECA_9980414##