Legendary midfielder Moses ‘Dube’ Odhiambo has tipped his boyhood club Meru Bombers formerly known as Mafuko Bombers to reanimate fully and gain promotion to the Division One league at the end of the season.Bombers were among the thriving community clubs in the ’90s but regrettably, the club failed to rise again to the top upon sliding to the lower echelons of the country’s football tiers.However, there have been renewed resolve to revamp the club that turned 40 years at the turn of the calendar with a number of its former players and pioneers being at the forefront to engineer its rebirth.Mafuko Industries, makers of Mafuko Bread have been our long-time partner & benefactor. The club is still affectionately known as Mafuko Bombers when they were our sponsors & our best era yet. For that legacy & continued support, we’ll be wearing their badge close to our hearts. pic.twitter.com/ml4ytr6YoU— Meru Bombers Football Club (@MeruBombers) May 18, 2022 Odhiambo, who commands respect for his longevity in the game honed his football skills at the club in 1996 and has a feeling that the goodwill the club is enjoying this year is a sign that it is headed to a full renaissance.The former Gor Mahia man who hanged his boots two years ago revealed that the team was crying out for five experienced players and financial assistance in order to realize the dream of promotion to the third tier at the end of the season.”Mafuko Bombers gave me the first chance back in 1996 and I must laud the efforts towards its rebirth. I have watched the four league matches the team has played this season and I feel the boys have the mettle to gain promotion. I recommended the addition of five experienced players to the technical bench who will boost the efforts of the young ones. The team is also in dire need of financial support so as to achieve the set target, ” he said.Meru Bombers, formerly known as Mafuko Bombers, is coming back 👌 pic.twitter.com/2wZOidvSR4— Jeff Kinyanjui (@Nyash88) February 11, 2022 Odhiambo who in his career made himself a name in East and South Africa called on the club’s ex-players to join hands and help either financially or in motivating the current playing unit.” I was born and raised in Meru and as part of giving back to the society, I decided to dedicate my time and resources to helping the club. The former players have a responsibility to play too and in this case, I urge them to play a part in the club’s journey back to the top flight, “he appealed.From child labour to football stardom – This is Moses Mudavadi’s storyMeanwhile, the former Nairobi Stima player believes that the completion of the Kinoru Stadium will be a game-changer in the region that he observed had football talents littered all over.” The future of sports within Meru region is bright if the availability of the stadium and the revival of Bombers is anything to go by. One of the challenges players face out there is lack of good playing surfaces but the ones based in Meru should count themselves lucky and make something out of their talents, ” he added.Between 1988 & 92, the team had a lull & some of the players moved to try and start other teams in Meru. @dickush (in yellow) and others moved to start Coop Bank Meru FC & National Bank Meru FC which did not last until Mafuko Industries came to revive the team as Mafuko Bombers pic.twitter.com/yQCRTUmT0p— Meru Bombers Football Club (@MeruBombers) April 11, 2022 After leaving Mafuko , Odhiambo joined Kisima Bombers that elevated him to the next level as he later joined Utalii FC. He had stints with Gor and Sofapaka and played for Nakumatt FC and Nairobi Stima in the sunset days of his career.The former Kenyan international featured for Rwandese side APR in two stints, Tanzanian giants Simba and Yanga as well as Moro United.
