Bandari FC squad in a previous event /HANDOUTBandari FC have turned to sports science, data analysis and a heavily revamped squad as coach Charles Okere prepares the Dockers for a fresh assault on the 2026/27 SportPesa League.
The Mombasa-based side will open their campaign against rivals AFC Leopards at the Ulinzi Complex in Nairobi on September 19, with Okere confident the team has had sufficient time to prepare for the demands of the new season.
Bandari have been among the busiest clubs in the transfer market, signing 12 players and releasing 18 as Okere reshaped the squad following his appointment. Midfielders Lawrence Okoth Ouma and Keith Imbali, winger Alex Kipruto, striker Derrick Nsibambi and defender Kevin Ouma are among the new arrivals.
Bonphas Munyasa, Thomas Wainaina, Mark Okola, Baraka Rodgers, Collins Mwalati, Izzadin Juma and David Ambulu are also part of the revamped squad, while Nsibambi has been retained to provide continuity in attack.
With so many changes to the playing personnel, Okere has placed considerable emphasis on building cohesion while using modern methods to monitor the players' physical condition and performance.
"The interaction within the team is growing," Okere said, pointing to the progress made during a demanding pre-season programme that has lasted between six and eight weeks.
The technical bench has incorporated video analysis, tracking vests, data analysis, sports science and nutrition into preparations as Bandari seek to improve how they monitor workload, performance and recovery.
"We do video analysis," Okere said, explaining how technology has become part of the team's preparations as the technical staff assesses performances and identifies areas that need improvement.
Nutrition has also been given greater attention, with players receiving guidance on what to eat before, during and after training and matches as the club seeks to improve fitness and recovery. "Everything is covered," Okere said of the support from Bandari management, which he believes has provided the technical team with the resources required to prepare the squad.
The Dockers have complemented their training programme with friendly matches designed to give the new-look team valuable playing time before the competitive season begins.
They beat Malindi-based County League side L-15 FC 5-0 at Mbaraki Sports Ground on September 3, having earlier concluded their pre-season programme with a 5-2 victory over Dola Select.
"We cannot train throughout without testing ourselves," Okere said, stressing the importance of exposing the players to match situations before the league gets underway.
The rebuilding programme has already produced one player in the national team setup, with new signing Lawrence Okoth Ouma earning recognition at the international stage.
Okere hopes Bandari's improved training methods and recruitment will eventually produce more players capable of earning national team recognition.
The former Tusker coach is targeting a return to the upper reaches of Kenyan football as the Dockers seek to challenge for honours after years without a major league title.
"We have to sit and come up with a solution," Okere said, in reference to the need for Kenyan football stakeholders to resolve the issues affecting the league.
With September 19 now confirmed as the start of the SportPesa League, Bandari's attention has shifted to their opening fixture against AFC Leopards and whether their extensive rebuilding, combined with a greater reliance on sports science, can translate into results.
"We are grateful because our preparations have progressed well," Okere said as Bandari prepare to put their new-look squad to the test when the season finally gets under way.
