Bidcos bid for KPL football in limbo after SDT ruling

The dream by Bidco United FC, a cooperate football club based in Thika, Kiambu County to compete in Kenya’s  top-tier league, hangs  in the balance after a controversial decision to promote them by Football Kenya Federation was last week  nullified by the Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT).

Up until the nullification of the FKF decision, occasioned by the Football Kenya Federation’s (FKF) president decision to abruptly cancel the 2019/2020 season and announce the Kenya Premier League (KPL) leaders Gor Mahia champions, Bidco United had been promoted to the top flight for the first time in 15 years, after standing second to Nairobi City Stars with seven points adrift at the National Super League (NSL) table.

The decision by Nick Mwendwa, president of FKF caused a stir amongst football stakeholders among them KPL management, Chemelil Sugar and Kakamega Homeboyz who challenged the controversial decision at the John Ohaga led SDT, the tribunal ruling in favour of  the Petitioner, Chemelil Sugar FC.

Speaking to Citizen Digital days after the nullification, Bidco head coach Anthony Akhulia admitted that they had already started planning for a more competitive league.

“Of course we were excited to achieve the promotion; I know very well that KPL is more competitive.  I’m aiming to make some changes to my squad but not a massive one. I will bring at most six new players to beef up every position in the current team but no experienced player from any KPL side will join us,” he asserted.

“FKF decision was challenged but that will not affect me and my boys, all of them are fit and I have not released a single player. We’ve played 28 matches and we have been at position two, so in case the remaining matches will be played, we have nothing to worry about, we will conquer because our focus right now is KPL,” an ambitious Akhulia added.

However, the youthful tactician who played for Bidco United as a midfielder during his youth has called on both FKF and KPL to come into a consensus on how the leagues will end since there is no enough time.

Alfred Chole (L) of Administration police FC contest for aerial ball with Martin Mace of Bidco United FC during their National Super League match at Camp Toyoyo stadium in Nairobi on August 06, 2018. Bidco United FC won 2-0. Photo/Stafford Ondego/Sportpicha/Citizen

“If the leagues have to resume, there must be a proper mechanism on how we are going to go about it, maybe they give us a month to prepare because we are already in May and remember we have to prepare for next season as well,” he observed.

Maintaining a second place in the NSL has been characterized by commitment and high levels of discipline on and off the pitch by Bidco players.

Bidco boss has described the current squad as the most disciplined team he has worked with in his career whereas Martin Maage, team captain, says the team was prayerful and united against any opponent.

Bidco United’s Michael Odongo (Left) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Migori Youth at Thika Stadium. Photo by Moses Ngige

 

“We have been praying before and after any match and I thank God we have been successful. Our focus has shifted to KPL and we won’t disappoint,” the experienced skipper said of their resolve.

Following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic that brought the sporting activities to a halt, Bidco United players have been training individually at the comfort of their homes something that captain Maage says does not match on-field training..

“We always receive training programs from our boss via online messaging app, WhatsApp, and it is not as effective as training as a team,” Maage lamented.

Tags:

National Super League KPL Sports Disputes Tribunal Bidco United FC

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