Bandari coach John Baraza believes his charges can challenge leaders Gor Mahia for the league title with 'experienced' additions to his squad in the January transfer window
Bandari head coach John Baraza has revealed his side’s transfer plans for January ahead of a monumental second leg that could see them stake a claim on the FKF Premier League title.
Bandari find themselves languishing in sixth place, eight points behind leaders Gor Mahia, who they lost to 1-0 in their last competitive match for 2023.
The side have had to make do with injuries to key players, such as Beja Nyamawi, Mohamed Siraj and Sharif Majabe, which has affected their form in recent weeks.
15:30 - 12.12.2023
FOOTBALL Bandari head coach John Baraza reveals how injuries have scuppered his plans
Bandari have done fairly well since Baraza took over, but the tactician has revealed why injuries have prevented the club from fully unleashing its’ potential.
The former Harambee Stars and AFC Leopards striker, however, insists that he still has the quality within his setup to go for the kill, but will need two or three more players to mount a proper challenge.
“I think we have the quality to challenge for the FKF Premier League title and if we can add two or three new players we can manage to fight for the title,” Baraza said.
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“We still have a lot of games coming and anything can happen to the teams above us,” added Baraza, a two-time Premier League golden boot winner.
09:30 - 27.12.2023
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“So far, I thank my players for the effort they have put in. We have been affected by a lot of injuries to key players in the first leg but the ones who were given the chance have done their best for the team,” Baraza noted.
Baraza has, however, lamented his charges' poor finishing, claiming they have not been burying their chances, while the opposition have been maximising on the minimal opportunities they have been creating against his side, having lost to Gor Mahia in the same manner they did to Nairobi City Stars.
“We didn’t deserve to come out of that match with nothing. Even a point would have been fair for us. The larger part of the game worked out well for us and everything went according to plan but in terms of chances we should have done more,” Baraza said.
He added: “You don’t need 10 chances to score one goal. Even with two or three, we should be able to score. Gor had their best chance and used it.”
09:00 - 28.12.2023
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