Kitara FC have sent a powerful message to their title rivals with the imminent unveiling of prolific striker Muhammad Shaban, who has agreed a two-year deal with the club.
The move, confirmed by sources close to Footy-Africa, underscores the Hoima-based side’s growing ambition as the championship race gathers momentum.
The seasoned forward is set to be officially presented in the coming days, marking his return to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League after an absence of one and a half seasons.
Shaban left the domestic scene on a high, finishing as the league’s top scorer in the 2023/24 campaign, and now re-enters the fray with his reputation as one of Uganda’s most lethal finishers intact.
Bobosi’s long ball ✉ 👌
Omedi’s run 🫁
The cutback 🔝
Shaban’s tapin 💯 #FIFAWorldCup #UGABOT pic.twitter.com/xuOvJlJIFw— Uganda Cranes (@UgandaCranes) June 7, 2024
His comeback adds serious firepower to a Kitara side already enjoying an impressive campaign. The Royals sit just three points behind reigning champions and table leaders Vipers, firmly entrenched in the title conversation.
While their defensive record has been outstanding, conceding only eleven goals, one of the best tallies in the division, their attacking numbers tell a different story. Kitara have found the net 26 times, a respectable figure, but still nine fewer than Vipers’ league-leading 35.
Recognising the need for greater cutting edge in the final third, the club has moved decisively to secure a proven goal-getter.
“The intention is to increase our goal scoring sources and Shaban is proven in that area,” a member of the Kitara technical staff told Footy-Africa.
Shaban’s arrival is expected to reshape the attacking dynamics within the squad. Unlike Patrick Kaddu, who has contributed seven goals this term, Shaban offers a contrasting profile, one built on sharp movement, predatory instincts, and big-game experience.
Ugandan international Shaban in advanced talks with Danish side Horsens
The prospect of the two forwards combining could provide Kitara with a multifaceted threat capable of unsettling even the most organised defences.
All eyes will be on his anticipated debut in the Stanbic Uganda Cup against Entebbe UPPC next week. Should he hit the ground running, the momentum could tilt further in Kitara’s favour as they look to sustain pressure on Vipers at the summit.
In a title race defined by fine margins, Kitara’s recruitment of Muhammad Shaban is more than just a squad addition, it is a declaration that they intend to fight until the very end.
