A visa hitch was yesterday threatening to lock out three Ugandan imports from travelling with Bandari to Lubumbashi to play Saint Eloi Lupopo in the African Confederation Cup on Sunday.
Bandari technical director Edward Oduor yesterday said the Football Kenya Federation were frantically trying to secure visas for Dan Sserenkuma, George Abege and Mussa Mude after the Congolese consulate declined to issue them the documents.
The Congo embassy was insisting the trio travel back to Uganda and secure their visas from their home country in total disregard of African Football Confederation bylaws which demand travelling soccer squads be issued with visas on arrival at the host country.
Oduor who is traveling with the squad said: “The FKF has taken up the matter and have written a protest note to CAF which we hope will bare fruit.”
According to him, it is unfair for the Congolese embassy to start frustrating the team even before departure but expressed hope sobriety would prevail.
Oduor said Bandari were taking a strong squad to Congo which he predicted will return with the much needed away win.
Midfielder Mussa Mude and defender David Gateri passed late fitness tests and were included in the 18 member squad
The team will travel with only two goalkeepers Wilson Obungu and Joseph Okoth while the defence will be picked from Felly Mulumba, Edwin Wafula, Humphrey Okoti, Dancun Otewa, David Gateri and Mohmmed Sheriff.
Midfielders will be Mussa Mude, Bernard Mangoli, Anthony Kimani ,Edwin Lavatsa, Hamisi Tole and Shaban Kenga while Dan Sserenkuma, George Abege, Meshack Karani and David Kingatua will lead the attack.
Twahir Muhiddin is head coach assisted by David Odhiambo. Humphrey Obwaka is travelling as team manager with Stephen Yebei as accounting officer.
Internationals Abdulatif Omar and Victor Ndinya were dropped from from the team which jets out of the Moi International Airport Mombasa at 8am today.