Bandari ace ramps up title ambitions after snubbing Rwandese outfit AS Kigali

Midfield linchpin Fidel Origa is focused on winning the FKF Premier League with Bandari after completing a switch to the club from Wazito FC in August.

The defensive midfielder was among the players unveiled by the ambitious Dockers who are keen on clinching their first-ever league title next season. The closest they have come to winning the league was in 2018 and 2019 under Bernard Mwalala where they finished as runners-up, Gor Mahia won the title on both occasions.

Origa a former Kariobangi Sharks and Western Stima player established himself as a midfield enforcer at Wazito under both coach Francis Kimanzi and Fed Ambani and had attracted the interest of a couple of teams including champions Tusker FC.

He finally sealed a move to Mombasa and he says he is happy to be with Bandari where he has set his eyes on winning the league title with the Anthony Kimani-led team.

“My aim is to lift the league title with Bandari FC and I am happy that they gave me a chance to join them. I have been welcome well and I am here to work hard and help the team do well. There are players here like Keegan (Ndemi) whom I have played with before and I know that we can partner well again,” he said.

Wazito faced financial challenges last season before the club was eventually sold by Ricardo Badoer and although he admits the team’s coffers running dry is the reason he departed, there is no love lost between the player and his former employer and is happy that the club retained its top-flight status via the playoffs after beating Murang’a Seal FC.

“We had some financial challenges at Wazito FC and I had to leave. But I do not blame the team because challenges are normal and I am happy that the team remained in the top tier,” he added.

With clubs scrambling for his signature before his move to Bandari, the player revealed that he turned down a move to Rwanda’s AS Kigali. The Rwandese side signed Lawrence Juma and Fredrick Odhiambo from Sofapaka but failed in their quest to lure the midfield enforcer.

“AS Kigali were interested in my services but Bandari’s offer was good and that is why I decided to come here and I did not see any reason to go outside the country,”.

Although he did not score a single goal during his time with Wazito, the player has an ambitious target for next season,

“I am more focused on clean sheets as a defensive midfielder but if I can manage some goals, maybe five I will be home and dry,”

Perfect evening for Simba and Nigerian clubs in CAFCC and CAFCL qualifiers