Bandari, Chemelil fire blanks at Mbaraki

Bandari were forced to settle for a point in their first home Kenya Premier League match as visiting Chemelil Sugar forced a goalless darw at Mbaraki Sports Club on Saturday.

Hassan Abdalla's shot that hit the woodwork and substitute Joshua Oyoo's missed opportunity after he was set through on goal five minutes from time but failed to beat John Waw in Chemelil goal, are the only talking points from the match that was short on clear-cut opportunities.

The final whistle left new Bandari head coach Ken Odhiambo fuming, and blamed his players for "failing to follow instructions" in his post-match comments.

“Instead of my players being cool and playing the way they did against Sofapaka last weekend, they were rushing to score. We should have won the game had my players kept their cool,” said Odhiambo.

He added: “We are going to rectify our mistakes before taking on Thika.”

Bandari started the season brightly last weekend after thumping big spenders Sofapaka 3-0 in Narok while Chemelil shocked Tusker 2-0 in Awasi.

His opposite number Patrick Odhiambo said though they had a number of scoring chances, he was satisfied to return home with a point.

“We prepared to come to Mombasa for all the three points but we are happy to secure a draw,” said the Chemelil coach.

Bandari had to wait until the 24th minute to have their first real chance on goal when Anthony Wambani sent a fine cross which Abdalla blasted wide with Waw well beaten.

The visitor's needed Yussuf Juma's timely clearance off David King'atua's free-kick after the Kenyan international had been fouled by Faraj Ominde with six minutes to the break.

Chemelil's first chance came in the 51st minute after captain Clifford Omondi combined well with Abdul Hassan, before the Tusker loanee released Peter Amani whose shot was brilliantly saved by Bandari goalkeeper Farouk Shikhalo.

The two teams held on to share the spoils.