Bandari ready for new season after signing six, says coach Odhiambo

Odhiambo, who returned for a third spell with the Dockers last month, has vowed not be in the chasing pack again in their bid for a maiden league title with second-place finish the club’s best achievement in the top flight football.

Bandari, who fizzled out in the latter stages of last season to finish fourth, open the new campaign against Posta Rangers in the early kick off of the first round at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos County on Saturday.

“I’m impressed with most of the boys, and I’m sure by the time we play our fifth league game Kenyans will see a different Bandari FC.”

Odhiambo, who is also the Harambee Stars Under 23 team head coach, says he will build a team around the young lads he has injected in the squad. Izzadin Ramadhan and William Gitama are already deep in the Dockers squad and cementing their position.

“Most of our youngsters here have great potential but they need time. I’m used to nurturing talent and I know there is pressure from fans to play them, but they should understand that the boys need time to adapt. As we aim to do well next season, there must also be the aspect of patience,” he added.

Odhiambo also revealed that the club will be unveiling six new players who he says are finalizing the paperwork before signing on the dotted lines.

“So far we are filling the left spaces; our goalkeeper left, two strikers also left and a midfielder. Probably we will work with the previous players because you know it's hard to build a new team.”

"It's a mixture of young and experienced players. We have promoted three from our youth ranks and signed other three experienced players and I believe if we work as a team inside and outside the field we will make a good team.”

New signings Kenya Navy’s Hamisi Boki, James Omusinde and midfielder Geoffrey Ojunga both from Talanta FC and Gor Mahia winger John Macharia were all part of Bandari FC squad that won 2- 1 against National Super league side SS Assad in a build-up match on Wednesday.

Bandari FC will continue to use Mombasa Sports Club for their home matches and Ukunda Showground for fixtures categorised as high risk.

According to the team CEO Tony Kibwana, Mbaraki Stadium is under renovation and will take more time to be completed.

"We need to be patient till the end of the year for its completion. So we will continue with last year’s plan".