Former AFC Leopards manager defends Bandi’s shock move to Gor Mahia

Former AFC Leopards Team Manager Benard Onyango has defended right back Lewis Bandi after his stunning transfer to bitter rivals Gor Mahia.

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The former Mumias Sugar forward says the youngster made the right choice for his career.

Bandi was named AFC Leopards’ Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2024/25 season, but shocked fans when he was unveiled as K’Ogalo’s latest signing on a two-year deal.

The defender, who rose through Leopards’ youth system, had been widely tipped to captain the team this term, before news of his departure broke on Tuesday.

The announcement sparked widespread criticism from Ingwe fans, with some directing their anger at club chairman Boniface Ambani, who admitted the club had struggled to trace the player in recent days.

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However, Onyango, who served Leopards during the Jan Koops era, believes the right back made a professional decision.

“As a player, you go where you will be paid and where you see a future.

For me, I welcome Bandi’s move,” Onyango told Mozzart Sport on the sidelines of the ongoing FEASSSA Games at Kakamega High School.

The former Mumias Sugar striker insisted that the criticism aimed at Ambani was unfair, saying the transfer was entirely the player’s decision.

“We can’t blame Gor Mahia, NEC or the chairman. This was a personal decision by Bandi and his agent. The club had very little room to salvage the situation,” he said.

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Still, Onyango faulted Leopards for failing to secure their best talent early, warning that the club should have done more to make conditions favorable for the player to stay.

“If a player wants to move, what are you going to do to make sure he doesn’t leave?

It comes down to money. Gor Mahia is offering Bandi good money, and football careers are very short ,from around 18 to 34 years.

If you don’t maximize earnings in that time, you risk suffering like many former footballers,” he explained.

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The ex-KCC forward said he was personally happy for Bandi but urged Leopards’ management to treat the episode as a wake-up call.