Bidco United coach downplays importance of striker poached by Gor Mahia

Chris Ochieng' (L) left Bidco United barely four weeks after joining for Gor Mahia.

FKFPL: Bidco United coach downplays importance of striker poached by Gor Mahia

Mark Kinyanjui 09:00 - 07.09.2023

Bidco will not sign a replacement for Chris Ochieng', who joined Gor Mahia after helping the Thika-based outfit to winning the Elite Preseason Cup in August.

Bidco United head coach Anthony Akhulia insists the club will not make a signing to replace Chris Ochieng’ , who departed the club for Gor Mahia after a stellar performance for Bidco United in the Elite Pre Season Cup despite being at the club for weeks after leaving Bandari.

Ochieng could not resist overtures from the 20-time league champions, joining the side last August, which left Akhulia’s men short, but the tactician has insisted he will put his faith in the options he already has which can do ‘a better job’ than Ochieng’ did.

“We just have to work with the personnel we have to see what we can do better,” Akhulia said, “We lost Chris who was our top goalscorer in the Preseason Cup to Gor Mahia so we just have to encourage those who are already here,” he added.

“I do not see the point of signing because we have strikers who can do a better job and then move from it.”

Former Kenya Police striker Samuel Ndung’u, who had sent a stern warning to Benson Omalla and Elvis Rupia saying he would win the golden boot this season, came off the bench to score the equalizing goal during their 1-1 draw with Nairobi City Stars at the Kasarani Annex last Sunday.

Akhulia has challenged Ndung’u to ‘believe in himself more’ and build on from his goal scoring performance last season.

“Yes, absolutely. He only needs to believe in himself because last season, he was among his top scorers. I will give him more playing time and hopefully turn the draws into the win.”

Akhulia is counting on the international break to ensure his players build up their fitness levels in order to go full throttle when the league resumes on September 15.

“I think it is two weeks which will give us time to work on those who are struggling with fitness, the likes of Mokaya (Douglas) and Onyango (Jacob). If we work on their fitness, I think it will generally make us more fitter for our next match.”

Bidco will face Nzoia Sugar at the Sudi Stadium in their third league match of the season.