Okere hails Bandari’s new season readiness after Police test

• The friendly, played at Police Sacco Stadium last weekend, was organised after the start of the 2026/27 FKF Premier League season was postponed.
• Bandari secured a 2-0 victory, with Alex Kipruto opening the scoring in the eighth minute before Lawrence Okoth doubled the advantage five minutes later.

Bandari and AFC Leopards players in action during a league match at Mabaraki Sports Ground, Mombasa. [Photo / Courtesy]

Bandari FC head coach Charles Okere says their pre-season friendly against Kenya Police gave him a valuable opportunity to assess his squad ahead of the new Football Kenya Federation Premier League season.

The friendly, played at Police Sacco Stadium last weekend, was organised after the start of the 2026/27 FKF Premier League season was postponed.

Bandari secured a 2-0 victory, with Alex Kipruto opening the scoring in the eighth minute before Lawrence Okoth doubled the advantage five minutes later.

The match was arranged following the latest postponement announced on Friday, September 18. Bandari had been scheduled to face AFC Leopards and were already in Nairobi, while Kenya Police were preparing to travel to Migori to face National Super League champions Migori Youth.

“We have a project that we are working on and we have brought that confidence into the team so that we can now implement our philosophy. The best thing is that we have experienced and young, energetic players who are adhering to the team strategy, and that is a plus for us,” said Okere.

“We have had six weeks of preparation so far, and getting an opportunity to play against a top-tier side gives me, as a coach, an opportunity to assess the team. I can say we are ready for the season.”

The former Tusker tactician added that the league postponement has given Bandari more time to strengthen their preparations and build cohesion within the squad.

“Although the pre-season has been long, we are trying to build team cohesion and assess the partnerships between players. Ambulu and Cliff performed well, for example,” he said.

“We believe in all our players, which is why I have given all of them playing time to assess the progress we are making as a team. At the end of the day, it is the team that matters, not an individual.”