Pair of 1-0 victories put Banija in driver's seat of their group at AOCAF LIX as the Transfer Window looms over the tournament
Nwabudike Ugonna(#12) celebrates match winning goal against Tropicorp on Matchday 4
BUSUKUMA, NATIONAL CAPITOL REGION- There is no way around this- the Kadongo Kamu entered Group B of AOCAF LIX as the definitive favorites to win their group, and they did not disappoint. In their first three games, against the teams who are now in the bottom half of their group at AOCAF LIX, the Banijans kept on grabbing 3 points. A 2-0 win over Saltstead away from home started the proceedings, and that was followed by a 3-2 win over Torisakia in our home opener. A hard fought 4-2 comeback victory over Sarzonia saw Ilman Jawara feature with a hat trick, and the Banijans proceeded to continue building their confidence in this tournament, as we take the long road to try and claw our way back to the AOCAF Final, the last of which we so cruelly fell to our archrivals, on our home field.
But then, came the other top teams of the group- Demot, out of the Glorious Southwest who are certainly surprising people, and Tropicorp, who expected to compete as the group's Pot 2 side. It would be the toughest stretch of schedule yet that the Banijans had to face. And how did they do? Well, it is not a stretch at all to say that the Kadongo Kamu handled it rather amicably. Led by Hanauma Ranbomah and quite a few Cocoabo, they frustrated Banijan intentions for most of the day. The partisan crowd was heavily behind them in the Vilitan Cove, though of course, not as partisan as crowds could be, considering the crowd was mostly Tropicorp employees. However, they could not hold out forever, as Nwabudike Ugonna had his first big moment of his time on the national team, as he scored the match winning goal in the 72nd minute. Making a great back post run, he was sent a perfect ball by the captain, Gitonga Kahara, and he head the ball back across goal to give his side a 1-0 lead, and ultimately, the only goal of the match. A tough road game, a tough road win, but all three points earned. No complaints from Banijan fans.
And then, of course, GSW neighbors Demot paid a visit to the Stadium of the Restoration. It was the first ever time these two had met, and there was visible excitement. There is not much interaction between Demot and Banija- though notably, after the Banijan-Equestrian War, our national baseball team spent an entire World Baseball Classic playing home games in Demot, rather than in Istria, as the World Baseball Council worked through safety concerns about playing in Banija at that time. But the top of the table clash between the two sides was always going to be close, and fans of the Kadongo Kamu packed the stadium, though there was a significant Demot contingent, considering the short distance required to make that trip. The two teams battled, and Demot played fearlessly- instead of just packing it in, they went for it, trying to get a goal at the cavernous stadium. However, the Banijan defense held once again in a big match, and this time the second half winner came from Namakula Kawesa, who had a tap-in after great build up play by Kahara and Jawara, for the Banijans to get another 1-0 victory.
This puts the Kadongo Kamu, of course, in the driver's seat in Group B. This national team has made four consecutive AOCAF quarterfinals, and we look to make that five in this tournament. Of course, to do that, one must reach the Round of 16, and that is exactly what the Banijans look on track to do. The performance has been excellent- expected for a team that's 5-0-0. Of course, the competition will certainly get tougher in the knockout stages, but we can't control who we play, only how we play, and we've played well. The offense looks creative, and in the physical games against sides like Demot and Tropicorp, we were able to gut out 3 points. Winning the group is crucial, and if possible, getting a top 4 overall seed even more crucial, to ensure the best possible Round of 16 matchup. And this team is doing just that.
While the team seems locked in on the field, however, something else entirely is looming over the proceedings- the transfer window. The window has been opened, and Marcus Waters, naturally, isn't a fan. "I'd like for all our players to be 100% focused and locked in for this tournament." The manager said. "It's a long one, and we need to focus on ourselves." But their ability to do just that seems extraordinarily hampered by the involvement of players within the window. While Marcus Waters wouldn't say it, sources around the manager say this- he wants any players on the national team to have their business wrapped up by the start of the knockout stages, so that it isn't a distraction.
A number of players are being talked about. Kawsu Kaba had a surprise bid from Taeshan, and while the Warriors rejected initial offers, maybe another Taeshan club comes back with an improved offer? And of course, the present starting striker, Ilman Jawara. He's generated great interest from across the pond, in Valanora, where Soldarian FC has made a bid for his services. Can he maintain his focus on the tournament, on the national team, while he's trying to sort out his club future? Can Kawsu Kaba, who all of a sudden has leverage to ask for a bigger contract form Hoima? It will all be interesting to follow.
The AOCAF colliding with the Transfer Window- Inevitable. How will the players deal with it? Their ability to respond to this, and to keep focus, could determine the fate of their campaign. Will they be able to do so?