Bandari coach Odhiambo not under pressure to sign new players

Bandari FC Coach Ken Odhiambo during their KPL Match against Nakumatt FC at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos County on Sunday April 29, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Bandari head coach Ken Odhiambo has said he is not under any pressure to sign new players in readiness for the resumption of football action next season.

“My focus is to improve individual performances in the current team. I want to instill self-confidence so that the players can belief in themselves and achieve their goals,” Odhiambo said.

However, the coach said he has identified two youthful players from the Bandari Youth Team whom he said he will promote to the senior team. The youth team is the reigning Mombasa County league champions.

Odhiambo said the gap left by the former captain Felly Mulumba has been filled.

“When Felly Mulumba left the team, I had central defenders who have fit well in his place. I don’t intend to reinforce that area since I have five players playing in that position.

“I intend to promote two players from Bandari Youth and we are ready to go,” said the former Harambee Stars player. Mulumba left for Zimbabwean top side Platinum FC.

Odhiambo has Brian Otieno, Fred Nkata, and Collins Agade at the backline while Daniel Guya, captain Shaban Kenga, Yema Mwana Abdallah Hassan,Wycliffe Ochomo, Ugandan import William Wardi and Johanna Mwita are available for selection at the frontline.

Mwita has been in top form since he joined the Mombasa-based side during the January transfer, before the Covid-19 pandemic halted all sports activities in March. The young forward scored three goals in a span of seven days in March as he netted a brace at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos against KCB in Bandari’s 2-1 and his solo goal sank Kariobangi Sharks at Mbaraki Stadium.

The coach assured the fans that the team will emerge stronger when the league starts despite the challenges of lack of group-training. “I urge fans to have confidence in the current team and remain calm. We have good players who are ready for the task ahead,” Odhiambo said.

“We have not been doing team training since March and the players will need enough time to gel well and that is where self confidence will be needed,” he said.