Bandaris Odhiambo calls for patience as federation negotiates for football return

Luqman Mahmoud

Bandari FC captain Bernard Odhiambo has called on his fellow players to be patient amidst lack of football as the government toys with the possibility of reopening the sport.

Sporting activities remain suspended since early March with athletes hard-pressed due to lack of action, and Football Kenya Federation has scaled its behind-the-scenes lobbying for the game to restart.

Clubs and players face the risk of having the league cancelled should the situation persists, which could hurt them more, at least in the pocket, but the Bandari man is rallying his peers to hang on.

“We are all going through hard times but let’s give the government ample time to work on our way back to the field,”Odhiambo appealed.

The former Gor Mahia defender has at the same time said that Bandari are keeping fit through an online tutorial under Coach Andre Casa Mbungo and will be ready for action anytime when the government deems it fit.

“Even if the government gives green light today we are good to go because we are doing individual training under coach Mbungo’s stewardship,” he noted.

His call comes amid pressure from sportsmen and women countrywide to have sports back with FKF Premier League’s fate hanging in the balance.

Odhiambo is also optimistic that the first dose of Covid-19 jab the athletes received will act as a catalyst for sports return.

Bandari being a state corporate sponsored team players are still receiving their monthly salaries unlike other teams in the top flight with Odhiambo thanking their management for standing by them during the pandemic.

“…we thank our management and sponsors for always looking at our welfare without hesitation,” he said.

Last week Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said that sporting activities in the country are unlikely to resume.

Despite that, Kenyan teams to the Olympic Games are in camp preparing for the postponed event with Kenya also successfully hosting  the Africa Rally Championship (ARC) Equator Rally at the weekend in Naivasha.