Kariobangi_Sharks
F.C. Kariobangi Sharks
Kenyan football club
F.C. Kariobangi Sharks, commonly known as Sharks or K. Sharks, is a Kenyan professional football club that rose over time from humble beginnings in Nairobi, to feature in Kenya's top league, the FKF Premier League, since the year 2017.[1][2]
| Full name | Kariobangi Sharks |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) |
|
| Short name | Sharks |
| Founded | 2000; 24 years ago (2000) |
| Ground | Utalii Sports Ground Nairobi, Kenya |
| Capacity | 5,000 |
| Owner | Nick Mwendwa |
| Chairman | Robert Maoga |
| Head coach | William Muluya |
| League | FKF Premier League |
| 2022–23 | 11th |
| Website | Club website |
Kariobangi Sharks was founded in the year 2000 and started in the lower divisions of the Nairobi league. The club offered an escape[3] for the youth living around the area, which was considered a crime hot spot.[4]
The club came to life after a young man by the name Nick Mwendwa tracked a set of young players who leisurely passed time at the basketball court of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Kariobangi mostly after school going hours and during the weekends.[5]
He offered them guidance and assistance through his savings to provide the bare necessities such as balls and boots. He then started training them every weekend. The team started out as Kariobangi Sportive, but after a few years rebranded to be known as Kariobangi Sharks FC.
After playing in local tournaments for some time, the team was finally registered to make them eligible of playing in the lowest tier in the country starting with Nairobi County League.
As has been the norm from its early days, Sharks is known for bringing unknown players to light[6] by handing them vital playtime at the topmost level.[7][8]
The team trains at Utalii College where the management has signed a memorandum of understanding with the school to allow them to use the grounds while upgrading the facilities. The clubs' traditional colors are yellow and green with either kit being worn with socks of the same color.
A few years after inception, the team scaled upward from Division II which was the lowest national football tier. In 2011 the club was promoted to the KFF Nationwide League and finished fourth on their first attempt in Kenya's second-tier league. The team had a fair chance of promotion while featuring at the same level the next year in what had been rebranded to the 2012 FKF Division One. But after topping the standings for a better part of the first leg,[9] the team dipped in the second half and ended up seventh.
Sharks were to give promotion another shot in 2013 while featuring in the FKF Div One-Gr 2[10] but were to contend with a fourth-place finish. The attempts continued through the 2014 Kenyan National Super League and 2015 seasons, and it is toward the end of the 2016 season that the team earned promotion to the Kenyan Premier League after beating Nzoia Sugar F.C. 1–0 in the final game on 10 Dec in Sudi Stadium.[11][12] Patilah Omoto, a Shark's homegrown player, and captain, scored the lone goal that guaranteed elevation.
Sharks made its Kenyan Premier League debut against 15-time champions Gor Mahia F.C. in Thika Stadium on Sunday 12 Mar 2017 but had a false start losing the game 3–1.[13] Ugandan forward Mathew Tayo Odongo scored a consolation in added time to become the first Shark's player to score in the premier league.[14]
The team went on to lose the next two games to Muhoroni Youth and Ulinzi Stars by identical 1-0 losses. Their first-ever premier league win was a 2–0 away triumph over Nzoia Sugar in Sudi Stadium on 9 April 2017 after second-half goals by Bolton Omwenga, and Patilah Omoto,[15] and followed it up with a win over Nakumatt FC.[16] The first draw as a 1–1 tie away to Chemelil Sugar on 29 April 2017.
At the end of their debut top-flight season, K. Sharks was placed third with 55 points,[17] and produced the league's top scorer Masoud Juma who scored 17 goals,[18][19] and the league top goalkeeper John Oyemba who kept 16 clean sheets. Coach William Muluya was voted as the coach of the year,[20] while midfielder Sven Yida was nominated among the league's New Player of the Year.
The team was placed sixth the next season, and once again produced the league's top scorer in Erick Kapaito with 16 goals.[21] He was also named the New Player of the year, the league's Most Valuable Player,[22] and emerged runners-up in the Fair Play category.
Shark again produced the top scorer in the 2020/21 premier league season in Kapaito who scored 24 goals,[23] and went on to win the player of the year award.[24]
In the year 2017, K. Sharks made it to the final of the GOtv Shield Cup but had to settle for silver after losing 2–0 to A.F.C. Leopards in the final.[25][26]
"I will not single out one player to congratulate, this was teamwork and it won us the game. Everyone gave his best from the first whistle, and even when we were down, the spirit was amazing. It is what we wanted and have worked hard for it, I am delighted."
Coach William Muluya after Kariobangi Sharks overpowered Sofapaka in Shield Cup final on 20 Oct 2018.[27]
In the year 2018, K. Sharks returned to the final of the FKF President's Cup, known as 2018 FKF SportPesa Shield due to sponsorship purposes, and were crowned champions[28] after seeing off Sofapaka FC 3–2 in the final with a brace from Ugandan striker George Abege and a goal from Sydney Lokale.
The team got to the Cup final for the third straight year in a row in 2019 but lost their title after going down 3–1 to Bandari FC[29] in a rain derailed final that saw the two halves played on separate days.[30]
K. Sharks made it to the semis of the 2024 domestic cup, dubbed MozzartBet Cup,[31] but missed out on a place in the final after falling to KCB FC on post match penalties at the Police Sacco Stadium in South C, Nairobi.[32]
On 3 December 2018, Sharks scooped the Kenyan Super Cup by seeing off league champions Gor Mahia F.C. 1–0.[33]
On 27 Jan 2019, Sharks claimed the SportPesa Cup title[34] after taking down Kenyan counterparts Bandari F.C. (Kenya) 1–0 in Dar es Salaam to earn Kshs 3 million in prize money.
In winning the SportPesa Cup, the team grabbed the chance to play English Premier League side Everton F.C. whom they went on to beat post-match penalties to win the SportPesa Trophy at a packed Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi in July 2019.[35][36]
In late 2018, Sharks featured in continental football[37] for the first time ever[38] after being presented to represent Kenya[39] by virtue of winning the domestic Cup in October 2018. The team featured in the 2018–19 CAF Confederation Cup qualifying rounds starting in the preliminary rounds against Djibouti's Arta/Solar7.
K. Sharks first hosted the Djibouti side at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on 27 Nov 2018, and went on to register a memorable 6–1 win.[40][41] Duke Abuya scored the opener in the second minute to become the club's first scorer of a continental goal. The team went on to win the reverse tie 3–0 to proceed to the 1st round proper with a 9-1 aggregate score.
They did not proceed past the next stage after being held to a 0–0 draw[42] at home on 15 Dec 2018 by Ghana's Asante Kotoko who went on to win the reverse tie 2-1[43] in Kumasi.
Continental appearances
- CAF Confederation Cup: 1 appearance
- 2018-19 – First Round
Continental results
| Season | Competition | Round | Country | Club | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | Confederation Cup | Preliminary Round |  Djibouti |
Arta/Solar7 | 6-1,0-3 |
| First Round |  Ghana |
Asante Kotoko | 0-0,2-1 |
| Type | Nat | Name | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Trophies Won - Coach |  |
William Muluya | 4 |
| Most league goals | |
Erick Kapaito | 51 |
| Most capped player | |
Osborne Monday | 27 |
| Most league goals in a season | |
Erick Kapaito | 24[44] |
| Longest unbeaten run | |
2016 NSL | 29 |
| Record victory | |
vs Kisumu All Stars vs Muhoroni Youth |
8–1[45] 7-0[46] |
| Record defeat | |
vs Kakamega Homeboyz | 6–1[47] |
| Inter-record victory |  |
vs AS Arta/Solar7 | 6-1[48] |
Premier League records
| Season | Pos | Record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | CS | Pts | ||
| 2017 | 3 | 34 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 42 | 26 | 16 | 16 | 52 |
| 2018 | 6 | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 48 | 40 | 8 | 10 | 51 |
| 2018–19 | 9 | 34 | 10 | 15 | 9 | 40 | 37 | 3 | 11 | 45 |
| 2019-20 | 12 | 22 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 27 | 32 | -5 | 7 | 20 |
| 2020-21 | 5 | 32 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 45 | 42 | 3 | 11 | 48 |
| 2021-22 | 10 | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 44 | 39 | 5 | 10 | 45 |
| 2022-23 | 11 | 34 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 46 | 46 | 0 | 5 | 41 |
| Total | 224 | 76 | 74 | 74 | 292 | 262 | 32 | 70 | 302 | |
Second tier League records
| Season | Pos | Record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | CS | Pts | ||
| 2011 | 3 | 28 | 19 | 6 | 3 | 53 | 19 | 34 | 63 | |
| 2012 | 7 | 37 | 16 | 9 | 12 | 51 | 42 | 9 | 14 | 57 |
| 2013 | 4 | 22 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 36 | 25 | 11 | 7 | 38 |
| 2014 | 8 | 22 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 19 | 25 | -6 | 9 | 24 |
| 2015 | 4 | 38 | 18 | 8 | 5 | 44 | 21 | 23 | 16 | 62 |
| 2016 | 2 | 38 | 24 | 11 | 3 | 58 | 21 | 37 | 21 | 83 |
| Total | 185 | 91 | 48 | 37 | 261 | 153 | 97 | 60 | 289 | |
CS - Clean Sheet
Domestic Cup
| Season | Round | Opposition | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Third | Karuturi Sports | 1(8)-1(7) |
| 2014 | Second | Nyakach United | 0(4)-0(2) |
| 2015 | First | Kenya Police | 3–2 |
| 2016 | Semis | Ulinzi Stars | 4-1[49] |
| 2017 | Final | AFC Leopards | 2-0[50] |
| 2018 | Champions | Sofapaka | 3-2[51] |
| 2019 | Final | Bandari | 3-1[52] |
| 2020 | Preliminary | Naivas FC | 3-0[53] |
| 2021 | Quarters | Gor Mahia | 2-0 [54] |
| 2022 | Not played | ||
| 2023 | Quarters | Homeboyz | 1-6[55] |
| 2024 | Semis | KCB FC | 1(4)-1(2)[56] |
- Kenyan National Super League
- Runners-up (1): 2016[57]
- GOtv Shield
- Kenyan Super Cup
- Champion (1): 2018/19[62]
- SportPesa Super Cup
- Champion (1): 2019[63]
- SportPesa Trophy
- Champion (1): 2019[64]
| Position | Nat. | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | |
Nick Mwendwa |
| Chairman | |
Robert Maoga |
| CEO | |
Lynda Ambiyo |
| Position | Nat. | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | |
William Muluya |
| Assistant Coach | |
Edward Seda |
| Goalkeeper Coach | |
Jerim Onyango |
| Head of Medical | |
John Kemboi |
| Team Manager | |
Mathew Sam |
| Media Liaison | |
Allan Netia |
| Kit Manager | |
Paul Otieno |
| Analyst | |
Josh Angatia |
| Video Analyst | |
Enock Muuwo |
Ayub Inziani- Leonard Odipo
- Bernard Ndolo (July 2009 - 2012)
- Stanley Okumbi (2012-Nov 2014)
- Michael Amenga (Nov 2014-June 2016)
- William Muluya (Jun 2016-to date)
- Beldine Odemba
- David Mbugua
- Benard Kawinzi
- Geofrey Wangalwa
- As of 28 May 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
- Erick Kapaito
- Patilah Omoto
Sydney Lokale- James Mazembe
- Osborne Monday
- George Abege
- Enock Wanyama
- Daniel Sakari
John Kuol Chol- Ovella Ochieng
- Herit Mungai
- Sven Yida
- Alphonce Omija
- Cavin Odongo
- Bolton Omwenga
Athanas Mdamu- Amani Kyata
- Masoud Juma
- Wycliffe Onyango
- Duke Abuya
- Tom Teka
- Boniface Onyango
- Geoffrey Lemu
- Brian Bwire
- John Oyemba
- Erick Juma
Ebrima Sanneh- Pascal Ogweno
- Ellie Asieche
- Ibrahim Kitawi
- Mathew Odongo
Top scorers per season. * Award shared during that season
| Year | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| *2012 | Meshack Karani |
8 |
| *2012 | Vincent Odongo |
8 |
| 2013 | Samuel Muringu |
8 |
| 2014 | Francis Nambute |
3 |
| *2015 | Ibrahim Kitawi |
7 |
| *2015 | Rodgers Omondi |
7 |
| 2016 | Ibrahim Kitawi |
12 |
| 2017 | Masoud Juma |
17 |
| 2018 | Erick Kapaito |
16 |
| 2018-19 | Erick Kapaito |
9 |
| *2019-20 | Duke Abuya |
3 |
| *2019-20 | Sydney Lokale |
3 |
| *2019-20 | Patrick Otieno |
3 |
| 2020-21 | Erick Kapaito |
24 |
| 2021-22 | Felix Oluoch |
12 |
| 2022-23 | Tyson Otieno |
9 |
| 2023–24 | John Mark Makwatta |
13 |
- Citizen, 10 Dec 2016 Sharks defy Nzoia to bask in KPL promotion glory
- Nation, 10 Dec 2016 Kariobangi Sharks silence Nzoia to earn promotion
- The-Star, 16 Mar 2019 Kariobangi Sharks players a beacon of hope and valid dreams in crime-prone slum
- The-Star, 17 Jul 2019 How team with quirky goal celebrations lifted youth from crime to world-beaters
- SportPesa News, 11 Jun 2019 The Rise Of Kariobangi Sharks From The Ghetto To Glory
- Michezoafrika, 27 Jan 2013 Sharks to stick to talent development philosophy
- Mozzart Sport, 20 Jul 2022 Kariobangi Sharks sign seventeen youngsters to replace voids left by fleeing seniors
- Capital News, 8 Mar 2023 Sharks’ Coach Muluya Keen To Turn Youngsters Into Title Challengers In Two Years
- Michezo Afrika, 24 Jul 2012 Sharks keeping cool with Promotion in mind
- Michezo Afrika, 24 Jan 2013 Sharks recharged to give promotion another try
- Capital FM, 9 Dec 2016 Kariobangi Sharks To Throw All At Nzoia For Promotion Guarantee
- Nation, 10 Dec 2016 Kariobangi Sharks silence Nzoia to earn promotion
- Goal, 12 Mar 2017 K.Sharks 1-3 Gor Mahia: K’Ogalo swallow Sharks in KPL opener
- Standard, 13 Mar 2017 GOR FRY SHARKS: Kariobangi lose their first ever top-flight match in KPL
- Goal, 9 Apr 2017 Kariobangi Sharks register first win of the season
- Nation, 17 Apr 2017 Sub Masoud hands Sharks tight win over Nakumatt
- Goal, 12 Oct 2017 KPL debutants, Kariobangi Sharks now target top three finish
- Goal, 18 Nov 2019 Kariobangi Sharks striker tops the chart
- Goal, 11 Dec 2017 Kariobangi Sharks striker leads nominees for awards
- Futaa, 12 Jan 2018 Awards: Muluya named 2017 KPL coach of the year
- Nation, 8 Oct 2018 16-goal Sharks striker wins golden boot on final day
- Goal, 23 Aug 2021 Kapaito: Kariobangi Sharks forward claims FKF Golden Boot award
- CAFOnline, 15 Ssep 2021 Kariobangi Sharks forward Kapaito named FKF Premier League MVP
- Standard, 20 Oct 2017 AFC Leopards beat Kariobangi Sharks 2-0 to reclaim GOtv Shield title
- Citizen, 20 Oct 2017 Leopard's Turn The Tide Against Sharks To Win GOtv Shield
- Citizen, 20 Oct 2018 Kariobangi Sharks Crowned Shield Champions
- Capital FM, 2 Jun 2019 Bandari Hit Holders Sharks Clinch Shield Title
- Capital News, 1 Jun 2019 Sharks, Bandari FKF Shield Final Rained Off
- CafOnline, 4 Dec 2018 Kariobangi Sharks beat Gor to Kenya's Super Cup
- The-Star, 3 Dec 2018 Sharks maul Gor: Simale's lone goal hands Kariobangi side maiden Super Cup title
- Give Me Sport, 28 Dec 202 Kenyan side's epic showboating vs Everton in 2019 remembered
- Capital FM, 7 Jul 2019 Bwire Stars As Sharks Beat Everton In Nairobi
- Nation, 22 Nov 2018 Kariobangi Sharks look to swim far in Confederation Cup
- Goal, 26 Nov 2018 Kariobangi Sharks upbeat ahead of Caf Confederation Cup debut
- Xinhuanet, 21 Oct 2018 Sharks to represent Kenya at CAF Confed Cup after domestic trophy win
- Michezo Afrika, 28 Nov 2018 Kariobangi Sharks maul Djibouti’s Solar in Confed Cup debut
- The International News, 29 Nov 2018 Sharks score six in CAF Confed Cup debut
- FKF, 15 Dec 2018 CAF Confederations Cup: Kariobangi Sharks held by Kotoko
- Standard, 13 Aug 2021 FKF Premier League: Top scorer Kapaito reaches 24 goals as Sharks bounce back
- Nation, 2 Feb 2020 Kariobangi Sharks hit All Stars for eight
- Capital News, 4 Nov 2017 Sharks Demolish Troubled Muhoroni 7-0
- Mozzart Sport, 30 Apr 2023 Mozzart Bet Cup: Kakamega Homeboyz pump half a dozen past hapless Sharks to book semis spot
- The-Star, 27 Nov 2018 Kariobangi Sharks clear first hurdle in Caf Confed Cup campaign
- Daily Sport, 20 Oct 2017 Gotv Shield: AFC Leopards beat Kariobangi Sharks in final[permanent dead link]
- Capital News, 20 Oct 2018 Abege Winner Hands Sharks FKF Shield Title
- Goal, 2 Jul 2019 Bandari: Dockers beat Sharks to book Caf Confederation Cup slot
- Goal, 18 Jan 2020 Naivas FC knock Kariobangi Sharks U20 out of FKF Shield Cup
- Capital News, 10 Jun 2021 Gor Hunt Down Sharks To Book Bidco In FKF Betway Cup Semis
- Pepeta, 30 Apr 2023 FKF Cup: Homeboyz whitewash Sharks to storm into semis
- Pepeta, 26 May 2024 MozzartBet Cup: KCB proceeds to final after beating Sharks
- Michezo Afrika, 14 Dec 2016 Nzoia crowned NSL champions as Kariobangi Sharks earns promotion
- Capital News, 20 Oct 2017 AFC Beat Sharks To Lift 2017 GOtv Shield Title
- Nation, 2 Jun 2019 Bandari edge Sharks to win SPortPesa Shield
- Nation, 20 Oct 2018 Abege powers Kariobangi Sharks to SportPesa Shield glory
- CAFOnline, 4 Dec 2018 Kariobangi Sharks beat Gor to Kenya's Super Cup
- Nation,27 Jan 2019 Kariobangi Sharks are SportPesa Cup champions!
- Sports Brief, 7 Jul 2019 Kariobangi Sharks vs Everton: Sharks stun Everton in historic clash to lift SportPesa trophy
- Goal, 14 Mar 2017 Kariobangi Sharks unveil new jersey for season 2017
- Business Today, 21 Nov 2019 Kariobangi Sharks Land Betway as Shirt Sponsors
- Nation, 21 Nov 2019 Kariobangi Sharks unveil multi-million shirt sponsor
- Standard, 12 Dec 2020 Kariobangi Sharks and Betway renew shirt sponsorship deal