Bandari, Nakumatt clash in GOtv Shield final
What you need to know:
- Nakumatt’s Italian coach Giovanni Traioni will be under the microscope after claiming on Wednesday that his side plays attractive brand of football
- Giovanni’s philosophy will however face a tough test from a Bandari side that had an impressive run in the second leg.
- The dockers will head into the match as the favourites but the odds have been heavily reduced following Nakumatt’s heroics against Gor and it will make for a riveting clash.
Nakumatt’s resurgence will face a litmus test when they face Bandari on Sunday in the GOtv Shield final at the Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani.
Nakumatt’s Italian coach Giovanni Traioni will be under the microscope after claiming on Wednesday that his side plays attractive brand of football as opposed to SportPesa Premier League clubs whom he said play “tennis”.
“I’m surprised because most of the teams in Kenya play tennis, not football. They just kick the ball in the air from one end to the other. Those are long balls and I wonder why. For us, we play real football; based on close intricate passing,” he said.
“We don’t have any injuries. We hope to win the match because we want to have a trophy in our cabinet. Gor played long balls and it was easy for our goalkeeper, however, I don’t think it will work against Bandari. In today’s game, you have to play neat football and we will be doing so with the intention of winning.”
Giovanni’s philosophy will however face a tough test from a Bandari side that had an impressive run in the second leg.
Midfield dynamo Musa Mudde, winger Anthony Kimani and attacking midfielder David King’atua are some of the key men that veteran coach Twahir Muhiddin will rely on.
However, for Traioni, his target will be to have his charges put up another virtuoso performance to book a ticket to the Caf Confederation Cup next term.
The Football Kenya Federation Premier League side won 4-2 on post-match penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time to bring K’Ogalo’s unbeaten run to a screeching halt.
EXPERIENCED PLAYERS
The dockers, who boast of experience at the top level, will head into the match as the favourites but the odds have been heavily reduced following Nakumatt’s heroics against Gor and it will make for a riveting clash.
“It will be a hard match for both sides, they (Nakumatt) beat Gor Mahia but it does not mean that it will be easy against us. They should not expect a walk-over from us,” Muhiddin warned.
“Gor were fatigued but we will give it our all to ensure that we get the ticket to represent the country honourably at the continental level.”
Though Nakumatt failed to clinch a ticket to the top division next season, they are stoically rising through the ranks fuelled by their marquee signings.
