Every player wants to play week in week out because playing is their job. This however is sometimes not realized due to several factors ranging from form, tactics, suitability, playing formation, or just the coach’s preference. This has sometimes seen good players spend time on the bench or on the Bleachers.Today, Mozzart Sport takes a look at some good players who have been warming the bench at their clubs or have entirely been frozen out of the team. We looked at the underutilized ‘best’ XI.Timothy Odhiambo (Goalkeeper) Ulinzi StarsThe Kenya U23 keeper has not featured in any game this term. This is largely due to the great form James Saruni is currently in. His talent and quality however remain undebatable and ordinarily, he should be playing at least in the FKF matches. Coach Benjamin Nyangweso however opted to stick with his skipper between the posts in all games and Odhiambo will now have to be contented with a place on the subs bench.Happy Birthday Timothy “Cheetah” Odhiambo ???????? pic.twitter.com/YB8kCPaS0P— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) July 7, 2020 Erick Ambunya (Left-back) Tusker FCThe Tusker FC made his first appearance of the season for Tusker against Kariobangi on Sunday. The former Kakamega Homeboyz man can play as a right-back or a left-back and based on the struggles that Tusker have had in recent weeks, many would argue that he should have seen more playtime. His versatility and hardworking nature easily make him a choice for many coaches.Little KnownEric Ambunya (L) and Charles Momanyi at Kakamega Homeboyz, 2017 PL season.#footke pic.twitter.com/O5IYLJxJRB— Footballers Of Our Time (@TransferMarktEA) May 20, 2021 Wellington Ochieng (Right back) Tusker FCThe serial KPL winner joined Tusker from Gor Mahia at the start of the season. He featured in the first game against AFC Leopards where had a difficult time containing Ingwe wingers. Based on his quality and experience many would argue that he should be playing more but again he has a Kevin Monyi who rarely puts a wrong foot to oust from the full-back position.Done Deal Immediate former Gor Mahia defender Wellington Ochieng has joined Tusker Football Club.#FKFPLTransfers pic.twitter.com/u1NCQAZcDA— Rodgers Odhiambo (@rodgers_otienoo) October 29, 2020 Faina Jacobs (Central defender) Posta RangersJacobs joined Posta in January from Sofapaka. He has rarely featured for the team since he joined and this is largely due to the good form of Suleiman Ngotho and Kevin Ouma. Jacobs is an experienced and quality defender and at the Mail-men he is obviously being underutilized.FKF PL side, Sofapaka has released 8 players.Nigerian strikers, Michael Karamor and Promise Chinoso, Ghanaian midfielder, Jedinak Nana have been dropped. Others are: Faina Jacobs, Bryson Juma, David Simiyu, Isaiah Wakasala, and Collins Wakhungu.#FKFPLTransfers pic.twitter.com/p0VkRn5Gbn— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) January 26, 2021 Joachim Oluoch (Central defender) Gor MahiaOluoch has been reduced to reserve player at Gor Mahia. This is largely due to the return of Harun Shakava to the club and the emergence of youngster Frank Odhiambo. He is a good player and he definitely deserves to play much more, it will, however, be difficult for him to oust any of the starters, and will have to continue waiting for his opportunity.The coach has appointed Joachim Oluoch as interim captain ahead of Sunday’s league clash against Kariobangi Sharks. Kenneth Muguna and Joash Onyango, who are the captain and deputy respectively, have gone AWOL for a week now #Sirkal pic.twitter.com/CUzN0GN0i2— GMFTV (@GMFTVMedia) October 19, 2019 Wilberforce Lugogo (Defensive Midfielder) Lugogo is one of the best upcoming midfielders in the league but he has only featured in a handful of games. He is an industrious player and his passing, in particular, is remarkable. However, he is yet to establish himself under coach Cassa Mbungo and he is barely used. He is one of those who are definitely getting underutilized as with the current Dockers’ struggles, he should be getting more minutes.56′ Double Sub|Out: Namasaka Danson and Kenga ShabanIn: Mwita Johana and Lugogo Wilberforce@BandariOfficial 0️⃣-1️⃣ @KCBFootball#BKPL#BANKCB pic.twitter.com/icjGh4xws3— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) December 18, 2020 Ibrahim Shambi (Central midfielder) Ulinzi StarsThe Ulinzi Stars U20 winning captain has been reduced to a bench warmer this campaign. He featured prominently during coach Dunstan Nyaudo’s reign but since Nyangweo returned, his playtime has been reduced. Ulinzi’s midfield majorly consists of aged players and at his age and with his work ethic, he definitely should be getting more minutes.Our players Oscar Wamalwa, Timothy Odhiambo and Ibrahim Shambi have been called up to the Kenya national team ahead of the October 10 friendly match against Zambia at Kasarani. Wamalwa and Odhiambo are in the main team, and Shambi is in the reserve team.???????? ???????? ???????? #KenyaMbele pic.twitter.com/uNOVAQWu8j— Ulinzi Stars FC (@UlinziStarsFC) September 28, 2020 Martin Nderitu (Attacking midfielder) KCBThe KCB midfield wizard has been reduced to doing his wizardry on the subs bench. Zizou is a talented attacking midfielder capable of unlocking the tightest of defenses but it seems not to be working for him this season. He has featured in a handful of matches this season and looking at how KCB sometimes struggles to create chances, maybe he should be seeing more playtime.???? | We feature Midfielder Martin Nderitu, in the 3️⃣rd Episode of ‘State of the Quarantine.’ Watch the full interview on our YouTube Channel by following the link below. Don’t forget to comment, like and subscribe.https://t.co/xvIr7mcbNI#StaySafe #StayAtHome pic.twitter.com/JRpWYlzmcM— KCB Football Club ???? (@KCBFootball) May 22, 2020 Joe Waithira (Left-winger) SofapakaWaithira joined Sofapaka during the mid-season window from Wazito FC in search of more playtime. This has however not been the case as he has barely featured for Sofapaka despite the team’s struggles in the league. Waithira is a pacy tricky winger who can unlock defenses but it appears coach Ken Odhiambo is not convinced yet and the player continues to languish on the bench.Wazito FC winger Joe Waithira joins Sofapaka#FKFPLTransfers pic.twitter.com/oviyNRzERA— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) February 3, 2021 Samuel Onyango (Right-winger) Gor MahiaWith high-profile departures from Gor Mahia, Onyango was expected to establish himself as a key player for Vaz Pinto’s side. He has however been reduced to a bench player, making a couple of appearances off the bench, based on their reduced options upfront, he is one who should be featuring prominently for reigning champions.Respect Samuel Onyango, then turning out for Ulinzi Stars, shows us how to pay respect to the national anthem before Kenya took on Rwanda in the 2017 CECAFA Senior Challenge opener.#footke pic.twitter.com/GFHU2XMoqr— Footballers Of Our Time (@TransferMarktEA) March 5, 2021 Kepha Aswani (Striker) SofapakaAswani belongs to the dying breed of old-school strikers. His club is currently struggling and would do with his goal-scoring prowess, he is powerful in the air and equally good with his feet but somehow, he continues to languish on the subs bench. He is one Sofapaka should be giving minutes.Friendly Match Update We played Kenya School of Government(KSG) in a build up match towards our weekend tie against @KHomeboyz . Kepha Aswani and Joe Waithira were on target as we won on 2-1. @betikaKe @OyandoRonny #BatotoBaMungu pic.twitter.com/rT2cw4Bluy— Sofapaka FC (@FC_Sofapaka) March 17, 2021
