Bandari Hot Shot Hassan Eager To Nail Harambee Stars First XI Place

26th February 2019 - by Erick Ochieng

SPL leaders' midfielder takes aim at featuring regularly for his country after scooping the January SportPesa/SJAK Player of the Month Award for January in Mombasa

Bandari FC midfielder, Abdallah Hassan poses with his KSh100,000 dummy cheque, trophy and 49-inch LG Smart TV after being crowned the SportPesa/SJAK Player of the Month for January at the Mbaraki Sports Club, Mombasa on February 26, 2019. PHOTO/Duncan Sirma/SPN

SUMMARY

Budding player Hassan was among the 25 local based players selected by head coach, Sébastien Migné on February 17 to start training for the Egypt 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals as the team marks its return to the continental showpiece after a 15-year absence
He becomes the second recipient of the honour this year after Peter Thiong'o of Homeboyz who won the prize for December and the budding midfielder walked home with KSh100,000 courtesy of gaming giants Sportpesa, a trophy and a 49-inch LG television during the award ceremony with the club receiving KSh100,000
Hassan becomes the third Bandari player to win the award after Sherrif Mohammed and Anthony Wambani last season

MOMBASA, Kenya- Bandari FC midfielder in form Abdallah Hassan is eager to punch his way into the Harambee Stars starting 11 after earning his third call up into the national team two weeks ago.

Budding player Hassan was among the 25 local based players selected by head coach, Sébastien Migné on February 17 to start training for the Egypt 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals as the team marks its return to the continental showpiece after a 15-year absence.

“My first time in the national team was last year when we traveled to Ethiopia for the AFCON qualifier that ended 0-0, but I did not play.

"I’m working hard to be a regular starter in the team very soon since I’m convinced Migne believes in me ,” underlined Hassan who was honoured with the SportPesa/SJAK Player of the Month for January at Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa on Tuesday.

“This prize has inspired me to work extra hard to realise my dreams for Harambee Stars. I hope to make the final squad that will travel to Egypt to represent Kenya in the continental showpiece in June,” he underscored.

Hassan was in fine form, as he scored three match winning goals and setting up another to inspire his side to three deserved victories in January that laid the platform to Bandari's charge to the top of the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) with the Mombasa-based club seeking a first domestic league title in their history.

Struggling Mt. Kenya

He notched his first goal of the 2018/2019 SPL season against visiting Sony Sugar FC who they edged 2-1 at Mbaraki on January 6 before hitting the target again a week later when they were travelled to face struggling Mt.Kenya United FC at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru in an encounter they won with a similar margin.

Hassan then popped up with the winner in a 1-0 success over visiting Posta Rangers FC at Mbaraki on January 17 as the Dockers set the foundation that has seen them rise to the summit of the standings on 31 points from 14 games, two clear of closest challengers, Mathare United FC who have played a game more with title holders, Gor Mahia FC (26) who have played 13 closing the top three.

MOMBASA, Kenya- Bandari FC midfielder Abdallah Hassan (c) receives his SportPesa/SJAK Player of the Month for January award from Mourine Kemunto, LG Electronics Communications Manager and Teresia Akoth, Digital Executive, SportPesa on February 26, 2019 at the Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa. PHOTO/Duncan Sirma/SPN

The former Rangers Youth player beat Cliff Nyakeya (11) of Mathare and in-form Kakamega Homeboyz FC captain Allan Wanga (10) to the award in the voting conducted by a SJAK Panel of sports journalists with 15 points.

He becomes the second recipient of the honour this year after Peter Thiong'o of Homeboyz who won the prize for December and the budding midfielder walked home with KSh100,000 courtesy of gaming giants SportPesa, a trophy and a 49-inch LG television during the award ceremony with the club receiving KSh100,000.

Hassan becomes the third Bandari player to win the award after Sherrif Mohammed and Anthony Wambani last season.