Thika United host injury-stricken Bandari FC

An intense run of seven matches in ten days has seen Bandari FC’s interim Coach Kennedy Odhiambo lose several key players due to injury ahead of their 23rd round of the Kenya Premier League (KPL) against Thika United FC on Wednesday, 24.

Odhiambo says he has nearly half of his players unavailable for selection and will have to make do with a youthful, ‘makeshift’ starting line-up.

“David Kingatua (forward), Omar Boraafya (forward), Roy Andrew Waiswa (defender), Felly Mulumba (defender), Shaban Kenga (midfielder), Eric Kibiru (midfielder) and Anthony Kimani (midfielder) are all doubtful for Wednesday’s clash,” Odhiambo told Citizen Digital.

With defender Shariff Mohammed forced to sit out due to a suspension resulting from an accumulation of up to five yellow cards, the odds look stacked in favor of James Nandwa’s Thika United.

Odhiambo adds that as the season approaches its closing matches, every point is crucially important in ensuring a comfortable finish.

“Three wins in the last five league matches is a good run considering that compared to most of our opponents we never signed any big names during the mid-season break. We opted to go for the younger players in our squad and this has paid off for us,” the tactician stated.

He added that combining the younger players whom he says are more energetic and versatile players with the more experienced players in the squad has worked well for the Costal-based side.

“Equally, Thika is youthful side and play really well as a team. We have a lot of respect for each other so it’s going to be a good match. We play to win so hopefully we can go and take all the three points.”

In Wednesday’s other match 2016 East Africa Military Games football champions, Ulinzi Stars FC, host Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno’s Posta Rangers FC at Afraha Stadium.

The Military Men are 12 points adrift league leaders Tusker FC (44) albeit having played three matches less. With hot-shot John Makwatta, who leads the KPL goal scoring charts out due to suspension, Head Coach Robert Matano will be hoping his side can find a way past the opponents who have only conceded once in their last four league matches.