Former Bandari Forward Bakari Tips Club To Lift CAF Confederation Cup

28th July 2019 - by Erick Ochieng

The club earned the feat after dethroning Kariobangi Sharks FC 3-1 in the SportPesa Shield Cup whose final was played over two days (June 1 and 2) in Nairobi

Former Bandari, Eldoret KCC and Simba SC player Ramil ‘Pablo’ Bakari (L) and former Kariobangi Sharks FC player Ramadhan Njoroge Nduta (R) with Manyani Maximum Prison Officer In Charge Bison Madegwa during Kits For Africa visit at the facility on July 26, 2019. PHOTO/ SPN

SUMMARY

Bandari, whose striker Yema Mwama emerged top scorer in the tournament with five goals, are poised to start their continental campaign against Al Ahli Shandi Club of Sudan at home on August 9
One of the die-hard supporters is the club former player Ramil ‘Pablo’ Bakari who is currently serving a 10-year jai term at Manyani Maximum Prison in Taita Taveta County
Bakari’s football passion was futher motivated by the Kits For Africa uniforms they received at the prison on Friday

TAITA TAVETA, Kenya- Bandari FC will be representing Kenya in the CAF Confederation Cup that kicks off across the continent in August.

The club earned the feat after dethroning Kariobangi Sharks FC 3-1 in the SportPesa Shield Cup whose final was played over two days (June 1 and 2) in Nairobi.

Bandari, whose striker Yema Mwama emerged top scorer in the tournament with five goals, are poised to start their continental campaign against Al Ahli Shandi Club of Sudan at home on August 9.

The return leg of the preliminary round is slated two weeks later in Khartoum with aggregate winner proceeding to the lucrative group stage.

This contest has motivated several Bandari fans who cannot wait to see their beloved team represent the country in the CAF contest for the second time, their first being 2016 where they were eliminated 3-1 by FC St Eloi Lupopo from DRC in the preliminary round.

One of the die-hard supporters is the club former player Ramil ‘Pablo’ Bakari who is currently serving a 10-year jail term at Manyani Maximum Prison in Taita Taveta County.

Bakari, who featured for the team for two seasons in 1991 and 1992 after being poached by former Harambee Stars head coach Mohamed Kheri when he won the Tanzania Premier League trophy with Simba SC in 1990, has tipped the club to lift the CAF diadem saying Bandari has what it takes to realise the target.

“Although I’m convicted here, I passionately follow Bandari proceedings, I believe the crop of players we have now are capable of causing upsets in the continental showdown,” the 52 year-old former Eldoret KCC striker told SportPesa News.

“With players like Mwama, Felly Mulumba, William Wadri, Brian Otieno, Collins Agade and Moses Mudavadi how can we fail to reach the final?,” he posed.

Former Bandari, Eldoret KCC and Simba SC player Ramil ‘Pablo’ Bakari (with white arm-band)in action for Tottenham FC during Manyani Prison League in Taita Taveta County on July 26, 2019.PHOTO/SPN

Bakari’s football passion was further motivated by the Kits For Africa uniforms they received at the prison on Friday.

Kits For Africa is a programme launched by technology and entertainment business SportPesa and their European football partners where players and fans donate kit that is ferried to grassroots teams in the continent as a foundation of developing the game.

“We have 16 teams contesting the Manyani Premier League (MPL), all the clubs lack jerseys, shorts and boots. We always play barechest and barefoot.

“Now I’m happy that my team will be very smart when we honour our next fixture because of the sport gear we have received from SportPesa,” Bakari who captains Tottenham FC in the MPL, underlined.

The father of three led Tottenham to first MPL trophy victory when he arrived at Manyani last year.

He believes the uniforms they got have boosted their morale as they hope to realise another win this season.

“I urge all the stakeholders involved in bringing us the kits from Europe to carry on with the kind gesture, this will go along way in motivating and identifying talents here at Manyani,” he underscored.

Bakari’s sentiments were echoed by Ramadhan Njoroge Nduta, a former Kariobangi Sharks FC player (2010- 2012) who is currently serving 80-year jail term at Manyani.