Brave Bandari share the spoils with Mathare

Edward Kauka of Sofapaka FC controls the ball under pressure from KCB's Joseph Kanbata during the league tie at Coca Cola National Stadium. Photo/DENNIS OKEYO

What you need to know:

  • Hosts put up fine display to hold champions as AFC go down to Agro

Bandari put up a fine display to hold champions Mathare United in a thrilling Kenyan Premier League match at the Mombasa Municipal Stadium, on Saturday.

Bandari got their best chance in the 28th minute when midfielder Amir Said combined well with Ali Breik to feed Sebastian Hadianga, but the latter’s freak shot was saved by hawk-eyed Mathare goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng.

In the 75th minute, Mathare’s Titus Mulama dribbled past two defenders but as he was about to pull the trigger, defender Abdillahi Adam came from nowhere to make a daring save.

Both teams utilised all their substitutes with Bandari bringing on Babuhija Rashid, Anthony Katana abnd Anthony Dafaa for Ali Abondo, Raphael Okello and Ayub Kakoyo.

Mathare benched Austin Makacha, Innocent Mutiso and Collins Tiego with Dennis Nzomo, Joseph Nyaga and Paul Oloo but the changes on both teams bore no fruits.

Bandari coach, Douglas Mutua, said he was satisfied with the result. “My boys tried their best but our opponents was a tough team and we have to be satisfied sharing the spoils,” he said.

Condemn club

In Nairobi, AFC Leopards just cannot get their first Kenyan Premier League win, on Saturday going down 2-1 to Agrochemicals at the CocaCola National Stadium.

Two strikes from Francis Ocholla cancelled out Sebastain Muchera’s 47th second goal with interest to condemn the former glory club to their fourth loss of the season.

A sea of blue and white – the tradition colours of AFC Leopards – on the packed main stand and throbbing beats of Isukuti seemed to have set the mood right for the home boys who scored one of the fastest goal in the KPL.

Pressed hard

Leopards broke on the right moments after kick off and Harambee Stars trialist Muchera showed just why he has attracted the attention of national selectors with an accurate finish.

Agro hit back almost immediately with the dangerous Ocholla getting the time to beat Leopards goalkeeper Charles Onyango three minutes later.

Agro ensured three points when Ocholla played the ball over Leopards central defender Allan Huma – conspicuous in his raised long hair - for an encumbered effort into the net in the 19th minute.

Leopards pressed hard to rescue the tie with Muchera and Dennis Mukaisa coming close in the second but they just did not have the quality to beat the determined Agrochemicals.

Alfred Chege was shown the red card three minutes into time added on to cap a disappointing day in the office for Leopards.

Sofapaka continued with their good start to the season with a 2-1 victory against seasoned KCB at Coca-Cola Stadium.

James Situma gave the newest club in the league the lead with a well taken free kick in the 38th minute before international defender Pascal Ochieng equalized with a penalty during time added on in the first half.

Other results: Western Stima 0 Sony Sugar 0, Chemelil 0 Tusker 0, Ulinzi 0 Thika United 0.