Bunge FC coaches led by George Sunguti have admitted that the team is facing challenges replacing former Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen after joining the Cabinet of President WIlliam Ruto.
In a media interview, the coach said CS Murkomen was crucial in the attacking line of the Bunge FC since he was the main goal scorer.
“One of our key players is now a CS, Kipchumba Murkomen, he was our main striker and replacing him has been a challenge because he was our top goal scorer.
Right now, we lack an out and out goal scorer and him (Murkomen) coming to training has been a challenge like this year he has done two or three training sessions,” he said.
Bunge FC Challenges
Further, the coach said Bunge FC has lost other important players some who lost elections while others got appointment to other positions.
In addition, Coach Sunguti said deciding on the players to start and those to rest is a challenge since all of them are respected leaders.
“As you can see, we have many Honorables and making that decision of who to start and who to rest is a challenge, but like I said, it is about having people who understand you, we have worked for so long.
Like today Senator Faki did not play and he is talented player. He has come all the way from the Coast, he has just landed, and he has not played,” he said.
Otiende Amollo with armband
Bunge FC Captain is Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, and the deputy is Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki.
However, when it comes to the National team the captain is Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo.
“We practice every Tuesday and Thursday from 6am at Nyayo Stadium but sometimes when there is a problem, we come here to Police Sacco or go to other pitches,” said Otiende Amollo.
Further, Otiende noted that the team hosts visiting opponents once every week adding that around 25 MPs and Senators attend the training sessions and matches.
Bunge FC practice sessions start with brief warm up sessions that include short runs, jogging on the spot and fast paced side stepping.
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Bunge FC Captain Aaron Cheruiyot
Cheruiyot stated that he has been a Bunge FC player since he joined parliament and he is improving as a player.
“I play number 10, my icon is Leo Messi like any other football fan, he is the greatest and he makes it look so simple that you feel like you can equally do it. But of course, when you get to the field things are different,” said Cheruiyot.
In terms of politics, Cheruiyot said on the pitch they are teammates and they do not let political divisions come between them.
“My co-captain is Otiende Amollo, an Azimio diehard and I am in Kenya Kwanza. However, on the field, we sweat for each other and fight together like brothers,” he said.
On his part, Otiende stated that Bunge FC operations have never been affected by politics.
“Here in the pitch, we leave politics and status and the gate, there is no neither Kenya Kwanza or Azimio, we are equal.
We have never been affected by politics. We will tear each other out there but here on the pitch, we are okay, we just play football,” said Otiende.
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Bunge FC Keeping MPs fit
Nyali MP Mohammed Ali, who is one of the players, said the matches are part of his stress relieving mechanism away from politics.
“This is where we release our stress, you forget politics and you enjoy the 90 minutes,” he said.
Further, Ali said the training makes MPs look strong and aggressive, enabling them to move from one function to another.
“Now I am a supporter of Bandari although I don’t have time to go and watch football, in the premier league, I support Manchester United,” said Ali.
The Bunge FC will be participating in the East African Inter-Parliamentary Games in December in Kigali, Rwanda.
Bunge FC Team
Some of the legislators at Bunge FC include senate major leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Peter Salasya, Dan Wanyama, Mohammed Ali and Otiende Amollo.
Others are Peter Kaluma, David Ochieng,Omboko Milemba, Maurice Kaikai,Mohammed Faki, Eddie Oketch, Alan Kisang,Musili Mwadhe, Anthony Kibagendi, Nelson Wanami and Okiyah Omtatah.
