Odhiambo eager to guide Bandari to silverware this season

The indefinite suspension of sporting activities will not distract Bandari's bid to lay hands on either the league or Shield Cup titles, skipper Bernard Odhiambo has assured.

Bandari who had a false league start recovered following the arrival of Andre Casa Mbungo in January and were nine points within the reach of leaders Tusker before the presidential decree.

The coastal club who have the Shield Cup silverware in their cabinet had also booked a slot in the round of 32 after eliminating National Super League side Murangá Seal in the round of 64.

Having watched his predecessor Felly Mulumba guide the club to claim the Cup in 2019, Odhiambo who assumed the armband last year after the former left to pursue greener pastures in Zimbabwe hopes to toast the crown at the end of the season, suspension of football notwithstanding.

"I am certain we will get something at the end of the season. The belief in the boys and focus is much alive despite the temporal ban. Every player is taking individual training seriously and we hope the president will review the restrictions sooner so that we can return to our full-time jobs," he opened up.

The former Gor Mahia central defender who returned to the team last year after a lengthy sideline occasioned by the damaged Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) which saw him go under the knife thanked Mulumba for bequeathing him the necessary leadership skills.

The former Sofapaka defender ditched the dockers in February last year for FC Platinum but returned in the recent transfer window.

"Felly prepared me well to lead the team before he left and thus I have not had any problem in leading the team. He shared with me on how to control the dressing room and so far so good for me. I played alongside him for quite some time and I learnt invaluable lessons from him," he lauded the Congolese player.

Odhiambo, a younger brother to former Harambee Stars assistant skipper David Owino in the meantime expressed his gratitude to the Bandari family for offering him a shoulder to lean on when he was nursing the career-threatening injury.

"It was a tough moment for me as I spent almost a year on the sidelines. I am glad that Bandari did not abandon me as far as catering for medical bills was concerned," he praised his employer.