Bandari FC coach Twahir Muhiddin expects a tough game from Gor when they play at the Mbaraki Complex/PHOTO- Timothy Olobulu
MOMBASA. Kenya May 12- After GOtv Shield champions Bandari FC completed their transfer business at the end of January, they were the song on everyone’s lips; the ideal SportPesa Premier League title contenders.
The new players that included Ugandan Danny Sserunkuma, Edwin Lavatsa, Bernard Mang’oli and Edwin Wafula among others were brought on board to help the Dockers win their first ever Premier League title.
However, 12 games down the season, the Mombasa based side is in unfamiliar territory and quite a huge contrast of what was expected of them when the league kicked off in February.
They sit 10th on the log on 14 points, 10 points adrift of leaders Tusker FC, having won three and picked five draws.
“Most of the players have dipped in form, unfortunately. Another huge factor that has affected our season is injury to key players which has seen us unable to put up a consistent starting team throughout.
“ David Gateri who was key for the team last season, Shariff Mohammed, Humphrey Okoti, Mudde Musa, Shabaan Kenga all have faced spells out forcing us to do patch ups most of the time,” the soft spoken tactician Twahir Muhiddin told Capital Sport.
Bandari’s Edwin Lavatsa (right) in action against Tusker FC’s Llyode Wahome (left).PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu.
The coach remains optimistic they will bounce back despite a dry run that has seen them go seven matches without a win with their last victory being a slim 1-0 win over struggling Sofapaka on March 13.
Bandari face in form Mathare United at their Mbaraki Sports Club backyard in Mombasa on Sunday and Muhiddin hopes they can resuscitate their tattered season with three points against his coaching protégé Francis Kimanzi.
Muhiddin has been given a shot in the arm with the return to fitness of midfielder Mudde who has missed the last two matches with injury.
“It is going to be a tough match looking at our history with Mathare. It has always been a difference of one goal if not a draw and I expect things to be tough again. However, we want to rescue our season and the best thing is to get winning starting with this match,” Muhiddin, a former Harambee Stars tactician offered.
Mathare are enjoying a good run to sit second on the log, just a point shy of Tusker FC.
Bandari’s home record has not been as enviable as it was a few years back and they have only won two of their six matches in Mombasa this season.
In the last ten league encounters, Bandari is yet to beat Mathare with the slum boys winning half of the matches and picking a point in each of the remaining five.
