Confederation Cup: Bandari coach Mwalala wary of Bance threat

Bandari FC fan celebrates their win against Kariobangi Sharks during SportPesa Shield championship at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, June 2, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Bandari coach Bernard Mwalala says they are working on how to exploit Horoya AC’s weaknesses on Sunday and insists the Guinean giants are still beatable.

The dockers will go into the ‘decisive’ Caf Confederation Cup play-offs return leg tie at Kasarani with the hope of overturning the 4-2 deficit carried over from the first-leg in Conakry last Sunday.

But even as their search for at least two unanswered goals continue, Mwalala admitted that he is still worried by the threat posed by Horaya’s attack led by experienced Burkina Faso striker Aristide Bance and captain Ocansey Mandela.

The lanky Burkinabe was Bandari’s tormentor-in-chief in Conakry, scoring a hat-trick with Dramane Nikiema adding the fourth, while Hassan Abdallah and William Wadri netted a goal each for the dockers. Both teams arrived in Nairobi on Wednesday evening for the second leg.

“It’s still 50-50 affair and it appears both teams have the same strategy going into the return leg. We need to score goals and defend well, while Horoya plan is to defend perfectly and get an away goal,” Mwalala, whose side will hold its first training session at Nyayo Stadium today, told Standard Sports.

“We have fate in our own hands. Score early goals and defend well. But one important thing we must do is to cut off the supply to Bance and Mandela then capitalise on their defensive errors. Bance doesn’t work hard, but he’s a lethal striker and if he gets supply he will cause damage on you.

And it is the two valuable away goals that have motivated the domestic cup winners as they aim to secure a historic group stage slot.

“It’s a do-or-die match but personally I think we have nothing to lose and we just want to write another history. We are already proud of where we have reached so far but we need to prove we are not here by choice, but on merit.

“To score is possible, but the question is what do we have to do to avoid conceding? An early goal will make our work easy and force them to change their game plan, we don’t need to chase the game. They have a bad away record, so they are beatable. We have a big chance to go through.”

However, Bandari are likely to do without the services of dependable trio of goalkeeper Michael Wanyika, striker Yema Mwama and William Wadri due to injuries and illness.

“But I’m just scared of Wanyika and Yema’s injuries while Wadri is down with malaria. They are all doubtful for the game, but I believe we’ve capable replacements and we can still flourish without them,” said Mwalala.

And to ensure they get maximum support from their fans, Bandari’s management have waived the game charges for the game.

“This is an important match, not only for Bandari but the entire nation. It is because of this reason that we’ve decided to make the entry free. Let fans come out in large numbers and push the boys to victory,” said Bandari CEO Edward Oduor.

Elsewhere, record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia have been handed a financial boost ahead of Sunday’s Confederation Cup play-offs away return leg against Congolese giants DC Motema Pembe.

K’Ogalo, who have a mountain to climb after being held to a 1-1 draw by the Motema Pembe last weekend, received Sh 2 million from Agro Chemical to cushion them for the away match after signing a five year deal with the Kisumu-based company. Gor are expected to depart for Kinshasa today.

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