Forgot to mention, if you have access to the nut that holds the tube/hose the cable runs through (on the inside of the transom)
you may be able to un-thread the nut, straighten out the shift cable tube/hose enough to pass the shift cable though.
Then you will have to get that tube/hose...
I believe you have to remove exhaust components and/or turbo or whatever else is in the way
so you can straighten out the hose the cable passes through.