Watch Out Gor, We Are Coming For The SPL Title, Shield Champs Bandari Warn

3rd June 2019 - by Mutwiri Mutuota

Domestic cup winners pay courtesy call to SportPesa CEO, Captain Ronald Karauri; declare their intent to end K'Ogalo's reign as league winners

SportPesa CEO, Captain Ronald Karauri (right) listens to Bandari FC representatives (L to R), Captain Felly Mulumba, head coach Bernard Mwalala and CEO Edward Oduor (partly hidden) when the 2019 SportPesa Shield winners paid him a courtesy call in Nairobi on Monday, June 3, 2018. PHOTO/SPN/Anthony Mwaki

SUMMARY

The Dockers who played bridesmaids to the record 18-time league winners for the second season in a row; toppled Kariobangi Sharks FC as the FKF/SportPesa Shield Cup Champions on Sunday with a 3-1 success following a historic final played over two days on Sunday
Mulumba underlined their intentions to bring a first ever league title to the coastal city next term having once again emerged as the closest challengers to Gor who sealed a third-straight SPL crown and record-extending 18th crown by accruing 72 points from 34 games, eight clear of Bandari
They became only the second coast based side after the defunct Mombasa Liverpool FC (1956, 1962) to win the domestic cup twice and having come close to the title twice, they are more determined than ever to ensure the SPL trophy docks in coast next season

NAIROBI, Kenya- Newly crowned domestic cup champions, Bandari FC have the wind in their sails to dethrone Gor Mahia FC from the SportPesa Premier League throne next season having come close twice in successive campaigns.

The Dockers who played bridesmaids to the record 18-time league winners for the second season in a row; toppled Kariobangi Sharks FC as the FKF/SportPesa Shield Cup Champions on Sunday with a 3-1 success following a historic final played over two days on Sunday.

On Monday, the Mombasa-based side presented the heavy Shield trophy to the CEO of technology and entertainment business, SportPesa, Captain Ronald Karauri in Nairobi where they announced their resolve of going one better and end the extended reign of Gor who have won six of the last seven league titles.

The Dockers held a 2-1 lead over the 2018 champions before the final was called off on Saturday following an unplayable MISC Kasarani Stadium pitch before adding a third on Sunday morning to lift the domestic cup.

It was their second ever trophy since they were founded in 1986. The club plans a trophy parade in Mombasa on Wednesday where they will present the trophy to their fans in what is expected to be a thoroughfare in the football mad coastal city.

Victory earned them the ticket to represent Kenya at the 2019/10 CAF Confederations Cup, KSh2m in prize money and revenge over Sharks who beat them 1-0 in the final of the 2019 SportPesa Cup in Tanzania on January 27, 2019.

Representatives of the Dockers among them club chief executive, Edward Oduor, field captain, Felly Mulumba, attacking midfield sensation, Abdallah Hassan and head coach Bernard Mwalala paid Captain Karauri a courtesy call where they revealed their main target for next season.

Further step

Speaking to SportPesa News, Mulumba who is now a two-time winner of the competition whose winner earns the ticket to represent Kenya in the CAF Confederations Cup declared they were now ready to go a step further in the SPL and end the dominance of Gor Mahia FC.

“I was so happy when I lifted the trophy yesterday (Sunday) that I almost cried. Our target for the season was to win the Shield and SPL title.

“As a player, to lift this cup as the captain is a big achievement and a good addition to my CV,” the Congolese national added.

Mulumba underlined their intentions to bring a first ever league title to the coastal city next term having once again emerged as the closest challengers to Gor who sealed a third-straight SPL crown and record-extending 18th crown by accruing 72 points from 34 games, eight clear of Bandari.

“We have proven we are not in the league just to make the numbers. We are no longer a small team, we have grown and it is not easy to come back from second and finish second again.

“Last season, we made a small mistake when we lost to Gor in added time. We are going to work harder and have maximum concentration and our aim is to win the first five matches of next season and from there, we will have a solid platform to challenge for the title,” Mulumba who won the domestic cup with Sofapaka FC in 2014 underlined.

His teammate Hassan, who has emerged as one of the brightest stars in the land, echoed his captain noting that a deep run in the Shield and Confed Cup will only be crowned by collecting the elusive SPL championship.

“The first priority for us next season is to win the league because it will be the first time and God willing, we shall deliver,” the SPL leading assist provider for the just concluded season charged.

"Any coach (in this country) would wish to win the SPL. Since we are at a level were we can compete with big teams such as Gor and AFC Leopards SC, then we can go for that.

"We have won the Shield twice but never the SPL and that is our goal as a team, coach and management," head coach Mwalala rammed the point home.

“Congratulations for the victory and I urge you to go on and win a third since we will still be partnering with the competition next year,” Captain Karauri said in his remarks.

“Our goal is to develop local football and having seen Sharks win the SportPesa Cup and Bandari now winning the Shield, it is a good sign that more teams believe they can go there and make it,” the SportPesa boss added.

National pride

He urged the team and its management to work hard and represent the nation with pride in the Confed Cup.

“You played well in the SportPesa Cup and recently, we saw Simba almost beating Sevilla in Tanzania and I believe there is enough talent in this region and in your team to make an impact in continental football and beyond,” Karauri emphasised.

Bandari FC's representatives (L to R) attacking midfielder, Abdallah Hassan, captain Felly Mulumba, head coach Bernard Mwalala, Organising Secretary Dickson KIbagendi, CEO Edward Oduor and goal keeper trainer, Wilson Obungu pose with the SportPesa Shield trophy when they paid a courtesy call at SportPesa Kenya headquarters in Nairobi on Monday, June 3, 2019. PHOTO/SPN/Anthony Mwaki

Club CEO, Oduor who is a former Team Manager for Harambee Stars, pointed out the Shield success was the culmination of a long term vision within the club of putting faith in young players.

“When our former head coach, Kenneth Odhiambo was leaving, we brought Mwalala in because he has a good track record with young players. It was difficult for us in the league because of the distances we had to travel to our away games since we do not have geographical advantage.

“Following our victory, the management promised that we shall travel to South Africa to prepare for next season and the exposure we gain in that trip will help us meet our targets,” Oduor told.

A Yemi Mwana (2’, 22’) first half double and a third in the 80th minute from Benjamin Mosha, wrapped up victory over Sharks who had halved the deficit through Patillah Omotto just before the game was called off on Saturday afternoon.

Bandari were knocked out in the preliminary round of the 2016/17 Confed Cup by Congolese side, St. Eloi Lupopo 3-1 on aggregate on their continental debut but this time, the Shield winners maintain they have learned valuable lessons that will see them go further next term.

They became only the second coast based side after the defunct Mombasa Liverpool FC (1956, 1962) to win the domestic cup twice and having come close to the title twice, they are more determined than ever to ensure the SPL trophy docks in coast next season.