Why Bandari were tossed out of Mozzart Bet Cup

Bandari head coach John Baraza has attributed their shocking exit from the Mozzart Bet Cup to lapses in concentration and individual mistakes.

Bandari were expected to register a routine win over Division 2 side Bungoma Stars and advance to the round of 32 of the tournament.

However, the 2019 winners were knocked out of the competition by the lower-tier club after falling 2-1 in a preliminary match played at Sudi Stadium on Sunday.

The defeat ended Bandari’s hopes of reclaiming the club and returning to the continental stage as well as double success as Baraza had earlier on revealed his wish of clinching it and the league gong.

Without mincing words, the soft-spoken tactician regretted that lapses in concentration allowed the home side to score from two-half chances.

The former Kakamega Homeboyz gaffer also fingered some of his players for the mistakes leading to the two goals.

“There are no excuses to make as the loss is self-inflicted. They got two half chances and used them unlike us who had clear-cut ones but couldn’t convert. We lost concentration late into the game and got punished,” he opened up.

Bungoma Stars knock out Premier League heavyweights Bandari in Mozzart Bet Cup preliminary round

The former Kenyan international rubbished a suggestion indicating that Bandari were tossed out as a result of underrating Bungoma.

Before kick-off, Baraza handed Izzadin Ramadan who was recently promoted to the senior team his first start with the rest on the starters sheet being regular and experienced players.

“We never underrated them. We did our homework well and realized that they had experienced players within their ranks. Name and the tier in which they play aside, Bungoma are a formidable team laced with players who have played in the top flight before,” he said.

Baraza optimistic of winning titles at Bandari after shopping heavily

Having kissed the tournament goodbye, Baraza, as expected said the focus is on the remaining league matches.

The former Sofapaka tactician insisted on the need to work on the mistakes exposed in their game against Bungoma before their next league game.

The dockers are set to face debutants Murang’a Seal next weekend at St. Sebastian Park.

Preliminary Round Results

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Vegpro 0-2Kenya Police

Wisdom Soccer Academy 0-2 Posta Rangers

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Bungoma Stars 2-1 Bandari

Eldoro SC 0-2 Mombasa Stars

Al Azizia 1-1 Luanda Villa (Al Azizia wins 4-3 on penalties)

Marafiki 0-0 Talanta (FC Talanta wins 3-1 on penalties).