Bandari Turn Mombasa Blue In Triumphant SportPesa Shield Trophy Parade

MOMBASA, Kenya- Bandari FC players were on Monday treated like royalty when they paraded their 2018/19 SportPesa Shield Cup trophy in the coastal city of Mombasa before the players were feted by title-partners Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) after a storming season.

Having finished second in the 2018/19 SportPesa Premier League (SPL) in a repeat performance from last season, the Dockers who painted Mombasa blue then dethroned Kariobangi Sharks FC from the Shield throne when they outclassed them 3-1 over two days on June 1 and 2 at the MISC, Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi to lift only a second trophy in their history.

The parade was deferred from last week but it did not dampen the mood when the football-mad residents of the second largest city in the country got a chance to view the big Shield trophy that was mounted on top of a pick-up truck.

It was followed with caravan that started its procession from the Mombasa Port and snaked its way through Jela Baridi, Makupa, Mwembe Tayari, Saba Saba, Posta, Mbaraki, Pandya, Fontenela and to the Kipevu Container Terminal where the players had a chance to tour the newly extended harbour.

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Escorted with Police outriders, the players waved miniature flags as they sang and danced with area residents who came out to witness a rare spectacle, with Bandari the only second team from the Coast to lift the domestic cup after the now defunct two-time winners, Mombasa Liverpool FC.

Some eager fans climbed rooftops and footbridges for a better view while other supporters chose the moment to take photos (selfies) with the players at Kenyatta University Mombasa Campus zone when the Shield heroes alighted for a meet and greet.

After docking at the KPA headquarters at the Mombasa Container Terminal, the management then celebrated the stars of the season where the SportPesa/SJAK Player of the Month for January, Hassan Abdallah was crowned the Best Player to seal his emphatic breakthrough season where his talent has illuminated the league and cup competitions, earning him a maiden call up to the national team Harambee Stars.

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Congolese marksman, Yema Mwama, who blazed the scoring charts for head coach Bernard Mwalala's team with 12 in the SPL and five in Shield being rewarded as the Striker of the Season.

Amid tears

"I have no words to express my joy, I feel motivated today (Monday) to work hard next season. Bandari will forever be in my heart,” Mwama told SportPesa News amid tears.

Goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo who is currently with national team Harambee Stars in France ahead of Egypt 2019 AFCON was awarded as the Best Goal Keeper to add to the same accolade he received at last season's SPL Gala. 

Congolese striker Yema Mwama being honoured by Bernard Osero, Bandari FC Vice Chairman and Head of Corporate Affairs after being emerging as the club top scorer and top striker in SportPesa Shield and SportPesa Premier League Kipevu Container Terminal in Mombasa on June 17, 2019. PHOTO/SPN

Other players rewarded by the team that was established in 1986 were Brian Otieno (Best Defender), Collins Agade (Best Midfielder), Dancan Otewa and Hassan Mwinyi (both won Most Disciplined Player),Siraj Mohammed (Fair Play)and Moses Mudavadi (Best Defender).

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“I want to thank the club management and the fans for their support that saw the team win the Shield after emerging second in the SportPesa Cup in Tanzania in January, we will prepare ahead of the forthcoming CECAFA tournament and  the CAF championships,” underscored Bernard Osero, Bandari FC Vice Chairman and Head of Corporate Affairs.

The team officially handed over the Shield trophy to the club chairman, Musa Hassan following their trophy parade and fans of the team known by its Mombasa faithful as Al Bandr relishing the chance to interact and toast to their heroes.

“This is a great day for me because I have managed to meet Mwama, Mulumba (Felly) and Wadri (William) who are my role models, I only see them on television,” Mwanaisha Sauda, a hawker at Mbaraki, underlined.

“It’s the first time I’m seeing this kind of celebration in Mombasa, no other team has ever done this in Coast. 

Scarce parades

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“The only side I have seen doing this was Gor Mahia FC in the 90’s when I was staying in Kisumu,” John Kamande, 62, a taxi driver from Mshomoroni, recalled after with trophy parades a scarcity in Kenyan football.

Salim Abdalla, a mechanic at Makupa already believes Bandari is destined for greatness after witnessing the pomp and colour that followed their second Shield victory following their maiden success in 2015 when they whipped the now relegated Mt. Kenya United FC (formerly Nakumatt FC) 4-2 in the decider.

He now wants to be part of the supporters who will cheer the club during their continental assignment next season after Mwalala's side sealed the ticket to represent Kenya at the 2019/20 CAF Confederations Cup.

“I’m happy that the team brought the trophy home, I plan to mobilise my friends in Kisauni to offer the club support both in CAF and in the SPL,” Salim added.

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Bandari, who have declared their intent to topple Gor from the SPL throne next season, will be headed to South Africa for their pre-season training as another reward by KPA management for the side that sailed to the finals of the 2019 SportPesa Cup before bowing down to Sharks on January 27, 2019 in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.