The Shahbal Super Cup aims to develop grassroots football talent in Mombasa.
Organisers will use a ward-based competition to identify emerging footballers, while Suleiman Shahbal has reaffirmed his support for Mombasa United.
Mombasa County football teams will compete for a Sh1 million prize when the Shahbal Super Cup returns in November. Organisers aim to identify emerging players and strengthen grassroots football through the tournament’s second edition.
The competition will follow a ward-based format, giving local teams a platform to showcase their players. It also seeks to create a route into professional football and help develop another Mombasa-based top-flight club.
Shahbal Super Cup targets a top-flight pathway
Suleiman Shahbal outlined that ambition during the tournament’s launch at Serani Sports Ground in Mombasa on Saturday, October 24. He said the competition could produce a team capable of reaching the Kenya Premier League.
Shahbal proposed naming the prospective club Mombasa City, drawing a comparison with Manchester City and Manchester United. His ambition is for Mombasa City to compete alongside Mombasa United in the top flight.
He also urged young people across the county to register their teams and demonstrate their football abilities. The second edition will build on the inaugural tournament’s focus on developing talent at grassroots level.
Shahbal rejects sponsorship withdrawal reports
Meanwhile, Shahbal dismissed reports that he had withdrawn sponsorship from Mombasa United following its promotion to the top flight. He maintained that he remained committed to the club and had helped build it from grassroots football.
Shahbal said reaching the Premier League had been their objective, questioning why he would leave after achieving it. He also recognised club president Abdirahman Hussein, popularly known as Anza Fresh, for his role in its development.
The club has been exploring additional sponsorship options. Hussein and chief executive officer Nick Arunga have indicated that they are engaging potential partners.
Shahbal said he and Hussein met the SportPesa chairman in Dubai, where the chairman promised support. He added that discussions with Azam were continuing, with the club hoping to secure sponsorship.
Call for county support
Shahbal also accused politicians of trying to create divisions within Mombasa United and urged them to avoid interfering. He questioned their involvement now, saying the club had previously struggled as it worked towards promotion.
In addition, he challenged the Mombasa County Government to support the team. He argued that top-flight participation offered an opportunity to promote the county while developing local football talent.
