From Madiwa To the Top: The Inspirational journey of coach Hussein Habib

Coach Hussein Habib Shabani has a proud track record of working with both young male and female players. Before turning to coaching, he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional player. Although his playing career didn't reach the professional level, his transition into coaching has been remarkable.

Born and raised in Madiwa, Eastleigh Section Three, Habib's football journey began in primary school. "I used to walk around the community trying to gather young people to play football. That's when I discovered CASL FC in 2000, a community club that held evening training sessions at the famous Air Force grounds just behind California Estate. Today, the pitch is no longer accessible," Habib tells Eastleigh Voice.

"I have loved football since childhood. Watching others play and hearing fans cheer sparked my dream of becoming a football player. I joined CASL FC in 2000, and we really had a formidable team," he adds.

CASL FC was the first team Habib joined, where he found encouragement and inspiration from his then-coach, Enouce Ndeche. "During my time at CASL FC, we had great and quality players who formed a solid team that opponents feared to play against."

Throughout his playing career, Habib also played for clubs like Kangemi United FC, Dagoretti Santos, Pumwani United, and Nairobi Aviation. He shared dressing rooms with notable players such as Harambee Stars and Kenya Police FC defender David "Cheche" Ochieng, Jesse Were, Sunday Mutuko, and Tyrone Owino.

In 2006, Habib began his coaching career at Golden Angels FC in Majengo Slums on a voluntary basis. The team, initiated with the help of St. John’s Community Centre, aimed to encourage girls to play sports and produced some of the best women footballers in the country. Notable players Habib coached include Fauzia Kaunjeri, a defender at Mathare United Women Team, and Elizabeth Katungwa, a forward at Athlitiki Enosi Larissas-A.E.L in Greece who also played for Dalhem IF in Sweden, Royal Rangers in India, and Sethu United in India.

Habib Hussein during his early days at Golden Angels. Photo courtesy of Golden Angels

"Coach Habib was my first football coach. I wasn’t that good initially, but he really encouraged me and sharpened my skills. He’s more than a coach because he also guided us through life skills sessions. I owe him a lot," Elizabeth Katungwa told Eastleigh Voice.

Since 2009, Habib has worked with numerous clubs, including Star Soccer Academy, Juventus Academy, Yatta Combined FC, Nunguni Yulu FC, Taveta Sasul FC, Alfones FC, Muranga Seal FC, Fantasy Soccer Academy, MCF, and Royal Fresh. He is now the assistant coach at Kenya Police Bullets, the new Kenya Women’s Premier League champions.

"Perpetual growth is key, and I am glad to work alongside Coach Beldine Odemba, the head coach of Kenya Police Women’s team. I am learning a lot from her, and she is always open to new ideas and opinions," Habib shared.

Currently a CAF B License holder, Habib has completed CAF C, CAF D, and KNVB basic and advanced courses. Besides coaching, he holds a diploma in Hotel Management and Catering. His team, Kenya Police Bullets, is on the verge of winning the 2023/24 Kenya Women’s Premier League, remaining unbeaten with only two games to go.

Habib plans to further his coaching career by pursuing a CAF A license, which will place him in a better position to coach at the top level within Africa.