John Baraza takes charge at Bandari FC as veteran Muhiddin steps aside

Former international John Baraza has been appointed the interim coach of Bandari FC after Twahir Muhiddin resigned following their 2-0 FKF Premier League defeat against Bidco United on Monday.

The Dockers’ poor start to the 2023-24 campaign continued on Monday after first-half goals from Shariff Musa and Thomas Wainaina condemned them to their third defeat of the season, leaving them lying 12th on the 18-team table with seven points from six matches.

According to Bandari official Twaha Mbarak, Muhiddin, who was serving a new two-year contract signed before the start of the season, agreed to step aside and the club immediately settled on Baraza for an interim role until the end of the season.

“After the game against Bidco United, Muhiddin felt he needed to step aside and his deputy to take charge and maybe bring in new ideas and after consultations, the management agreed to his request to step aside and take a break away from the team,” Mbarak told People Sports.

“It was agreed that Baraza replaces him but in an interim role and he will be assisted by Jerim Onyango, who will double as the team’s goalkeeper trainer.”

Mbarak further revealed the club’s top hierarchy had confidence in Baraza to turn around the club’s fortunes insisting their target still remains to win the league title.

“We gave Baraza the job because we know what he can do, he has been here before and he has the skills to help the team get back to winning ways, we are not in a position that we want to be, and with Baraza at the helm, things will improve,” said Mbarak.

Mbarak added: “We have not dropped our ambitions yet, we want to win the league, we have only played six matches and if we start winning our matches, we will move up the table, it is too soon to give up so our fight to win the league is still on.”

Muhiddin becomes the third coach to lose his job this term after Francis Baraza was fired by Kenya Police to be replaced by Zdarvko Logarusic while Sofapaka parted ways with Burundian Francis Haringingo to be replaced by Ezekiel Akwana.

Bandari kicked off the season with a 1-0 defeat against Tusker, recovered to beat Sofapaka 1-0, defeated Ulinzi Stars 1-0, and drew 0-0 against KCB before losing two straight matches – 1-0 against Kakamega Homeboyz and 2-0 against Bidco United.