BANDARI BANKS ON HISTORY : Coastal lads hope to continue good run against Gor Mahia at City today

Bandari play friendly match with gor mahia
Erick Ochieng (left) of Gor Mahia FC battles for the ball with Shaban Kenga (right) of Bandari FC during a friendly soccer match played at the Mombasa City Stadium on January 24, 2015.[PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

Bandari coach Twahir Muhiddin has said his side will be depending on their previous good form against Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia to get a positive result when the two sides meet today.

Muhiddin said his side, which has been staved off top flight football for almost three weeks owing to a court injunction on the KPL have nothing but previous form to count on.

“When we started off the season with a win against Muhoroni Youth, it gave us a lot of momentum and were really looking forward to our next match against KCB.

“Unfortunately, the league had to be stopped and this interfered with our preparations because we lacked the opportunity to play at the highest level.

Furthermore, being based in Mombasa, we could not get high profile friendly matches to keep us in shape.

“Therefore, as we go into this match, we just have our previous form against Gor Mahia to count on and fortunately for us it has been good,” he said.

He said Gor Mahia are in a better shape after playing three champions league matches.

“They are more aware of their weaknesses and strengths after playing some high level matches in the past one month and this gives them an advantage going into this fixture,” said the coach.

CRUCIAL MATCH

Gor Mahia who are currently at the top of the standings after a 4-2 opening day victory over Mathare United go into this match on the back of a 1-0 loss to AC Leopards of Congo Brazaville in a champions league match.

The match is crucial for K’Ogalo who will use the match as a build up ahead of their CAF Champions league return leg tie against the Congolese side in two weeks.

Goalkeeper Jerim Onyango is likely to make a return to goal after being sidelined since the season started. On form Ali Abondo is also expected to start upfront with six goals to his credit already.

The KPL resumes after a high court ruling lifted an injunction that had been put in place to hold back the competition.

KPL CEO has said they may be forced to play more matches in a short period of time to cover up for the lost time.

“Teams have to be ready to play more matches and I am glad they are aware of this since we have to cover up for lost time,” he said.