RWANDA’S Andre Casa Mbungo was on Monday, January 4, officially unveiled as the head coach of Kenyan Premier League side Bandari FC after signing a two-year deal. The 52-year-old joins the Kenyan side following his surprise sacking by Gasogi United just three months having earlier penned a deal to coach the Kigali-based side during the 2020-21 season. Instead, he quit without coaching a single league game. But only a few can question Mbugo’s coaching capabilities, although his recent short stints at different clubs could raise doubts. So, is he finally settling at the coast. Bandari become the fourth club that Mbungo will be taking charge of in just two seasons following his short-term coaching roles at AFC Leopards, Rayon Sports and Gasogi United. He first quit AFC Leopards in December 2019, after just ten months in charge, as the club were struggling to pay his wages. He returned to Rwanda to take charge at Rayon Sports in February 2020, after the club sacked Mexican Javier Martinez Espinosa. Mbugo was tasked with coaching the club for the remainder of the 2019/20 season but he eventually switched to Gasogi United in July after the Blues stalled on contract extension. The tactician, however, was sacked without coaching a single league game after his employers were not impressed by his performances during the pre-season warmup games during which he registered just one win in six games. Following his unveiling at Bandari, Mbungo told the media that he already had trophies in his sights. “A trophy always comes first in any team and it will open more opportunities for the team and we will do everything possible to win a trophy this season.” He will be assisted by Patrick Odhiambo, who left Kenya’s reigning league Champions Gor Mahia where he was serving in interim coaching role following the exit of Brazilian coach Roberto Oliveira. Bandari were winless in four league games and sixth on the league table with five points after five match days before they returned to winning ways with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Western Stima on Sunday, January 3. Mbungo is expected to take charge of his first game during the club’s visit to Tusker on January 16..
