Bandari's Muhiddin out to break continental jinx

Bandari coach Twahir Muhiddin (left) talks to his players after a training session at Mbaraki Sports Club on February 10, 2016. The veteran coach hopes that his past bad luck in continental football will not come to haunt him when he leads his charges against Congolese club, St Eloi Lupopo in the Caf Confederations return leg preliminary tie on Sunday. PHOTO| ABDULRAHMAN SHERIFF | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Veteran Bandari coach, Twahir Muhiddin hopes that his past bad luck in continental football will not come to haunt him when he leads his charges against Congolese club, St Eloi Lupopo in the Caf Confederations return leg preliminary tie on Sunday.
  • The dockers trail Lupopo 2-0 and must score three unanswered goals to advance to the next stage when they cross swords in the Sunday rematch.
  • Ahead of the clash, the soft spoken Muhiddin said that he’s hoping for a football miracle.

Veteran Bandari coach, Twahir Muhiddin hopes that his past bad luck in continental football will not come to haunt him when he leads his charges against Congolese club, St Eloi Lupopo in the Caf Confederations return leg preliminary tie on Sunday.

The dockers trail Lupopo 2-0 and must score three unanswered goals to advance to the next stage when they cross swords in the Sunday rematch.

Ahead of the clash, the soft spoken Muhiddin said that he’s hoping for a football miracle.

In 1998, while serving as the technical director of Utalli FC, the club, then playing in the Kenyan Premier League, lost 2-0 to Tunisian side, Étoile Sportive du Sahel away in the Caf Champions League but won 4-2 at home, in Nakuru ,to be bundled out on an away goal rule after a 4-4 aggregate.

In the ill-tempered match, Utalii crucially missed a penalty in front of their home fans to bow out crestfallen.

UNLUCKY

The jinx followed Muhiddin as head coach of Oserian in 2002 when he was again bundled out by Etoile on post-match penalties after a 1-1 aggregate score-line.

Oserian won 1-0 in Nakuru but lost by the same score-line in Tunisia and eventually crash out in the penalty shoot outs.

And as they face Lupopo on Sunday with a two goal deficit to overturn, Muhiddin, who turns 57 in June is on the edge.

“I’ve not been lucky at this stage but I hope history won’t repeat itself,” he said.

“Everybody is available. Shariff Mohammed had a knock on the eye but he’s recovered and available for the selection.

The doctor has given him a clean bill of health and he trained on Wednesday.

Muhiddin who holds a Caf ‘A’ license said that he expects a tough battle as Bandari makes its maiden attempt in continental football but maintained that the visitors are beatable.

“We are ready, the players are focused, and they know what is to be done. They have to score three goals. We have a chance. We saw how they (Lupopo) played and I believe they are beatable. We are geared towards achieving a miracle.”

SELECTION HEADACHE

The former Harambee Stars coach will also have a tough decision to make on who leads his strike force. George Abege, Edwin Lavatsa, Meshach Karani and Danny Sserunkuma are all available for selection.

The fight for the lead strikers’ role is getting fierce at the cub with all the four capable of playing in the position .

Sserunkuma, since returning to the local league after an underwhelming stint in Europe is yet to attain his sharpness and either Abege or Karani are primed for starts while Lavatsa could once again operate from a wide wing role.

Muhiddin has also called on fans to turn up in large numbers to ensure a good atmosphere for his boys.

“We want to go and play and we want fans to turn up and support us. They should cheer the team when are down and celebrate with us in victory.