With a poor start to the season losing twice and winning once in a run of six games, sudden change had to be effected. Head Coach at the time, Twahir Muhideen stepped down from the role and the heavy shoe was left onto assistant coach John Baraza to size it. The overall morale at the club was abit down but all hope was not lost. The fans expectations were demanding after a series of disappointing results.
Just signed from Sofapaka that window to deputise former head Coach, it was a huge task ahead of him considering the club’s expectations. Working with a not so gelled squad following an exodus was also a tricky test thrown against his sail. First game in-charge as interim was at home against an underperforming AFC Leopards side. Also Thomas Trucha’s first game on the dugout for Efusi, rekindled the zeal for Bandari FC as they won by a goal to nil.
Over his management thus far, John Baraza has stamped his authority on the team and endeared himself to the fanbase in loveable measure. Losing only twice at home against Kakamega Homeboyz and Nairobi City Stars regaining the fortress tag alias “Shakakhola” as fans love to call it. Commendable feats too by doing the double over online noisemakers and top flight newbies Murang’a Seals.
From an objective angle, he has fallen short on hugely important side of developing the team. I truly feel a lot is left to be desired from the team in matters commitment and ambition. He has failed to nick a result in important games that has heavily resulted to the team’s current position on the table. Sitting on 6th after a loss against Nairobi City Stars at home having been 3rd before kick off that day is truly disappointing. Has been same story for draws that have been a result of tactical mistakes to manage a better result in games that looked winnable.
A 2-1 loss and knock out from the first round of the Mozzart Bet Cup by Bungoma All Stars wasn’t something good to write home about. After beefing up the squad in the small window, honestly, Bandari should have done better. A chance at playing continental football blown again and with lukewarm results in the league showing lack of ambition from the Mombasa based side.
The tactical strategy employed by John Baraza has been relaxed and attacking however it’s still wanting on a few ends. His structure is a bit flawed and easy to exploit whether on or off the ball. On the offensive they create loads of chances but lack clinical finishing. With good squad depth of quality 9s; Kahiro, Nsibambi, Kasumba they should be on higher numbers than they do currently. Most importantly, they struggle so much to kill games however much they dominate and it bites them in their laxity ending up with shared spoils.
With less than 20 games to the end of season, little to nothing can be done to salvage enough points to win the league. However, a cool top 3 or 4 finish should be motivation for the team. With competitive teams like Tusker, Kenya Police, Posta Rangers, Gor Mahia and City Stars ahead of them, it is going to be an uphill task. A fanbase more ambitious, a club so robust, John Baraza and his boys need to do better to deliver results befitting the efforts put in place.
