BANDARI PLOT FOR ALL STARS’ DOWNFALL: Coach Twahir Muhiddin hopes things will get better for Coastal team

Mombasa’s Bandari have not had the dream of shows since the 2015 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) kicked off.

The club has been struggling, though at one point they found themselves at the top of the log, and with it made history even if for just a few days.

One of the worrying trends for the team is a poor home record and coach Twahir Muhiddin says he hopes things will get better for his boys when they play Nakuru All Stars, who are placed last in the 16-team log, today at 3pm.

“It has been a big concern for us, especially when playing at home. But this is up to the players.

“They should up their game. As a coach, I have done everything and now they must step out and do better,” he said. Asked why his players seem not to be in a position to withstand the pressure of playing at home given the unforgiving nature of fans, Muhiddin said; “The fans have been quite concerned and that might have affected the players, but we have talked to them and hopefully, things will get better today.”

Muhiddin has, at the same time, refused to look down on their opponents, who just two days ago, lost 5-0 to Gor Mahia.

“This is football and we cannot afford to underrate our opponents no matter where they are. All Stars are very strong irrespective of their form this year and we cannot afford to misjudge them,” he added.

maximum points

Bandari go into this match on the back of an impressive 1-1 tie away to Chemelil. For victory, Muhiddin will hope that his key players are in good shape to give his side a vital win.

Victor Ndinya and Shaban Kenga will particularly be key in helping the squad pick maximum points. In goal, Wilson Obungu, who has been conceding goals in a worrying trend, should stand firm to ensure same does not happen.

It will be difficult for All Stars coach Peter Okidi to motivate his boys especially after his side was humiliated on Sunday.

After more than 10 matches, it is obvious that the Nakuru side was never ready for the top league and the results have been there for all to see.

Despite the poor results, however, there are some players who have been outstanding in the Nakuru All Stars line-up. Veteran Hillary Echesa has always stood out. Elsewhere, Kenyan Premier League has moved to crack the whip on coaches who criticise referees for poor officiating. According to one of the affected coaches, who preferred not to be named, they are now being fined Sh20,000 every time they criticise a referee.

“We are being fined every time we raise issues about poor officiating. I have been fined, but this is not the way to deal with this issue,” he said.

There has been wide spread criticism over poor officiating in the league with several coaches complaining about the vice.