Bandari edge Mt Kenya to keep pressure on leaders Mathare

Bandari scored a goal in each half to see-off a stubborn Mt Kenya United side 2-1 in a closely contested SportPesa Premier League match at Afraha Stadium Nakuru on Saturday.

The Bernard Mwalala-coached dockers took a deserved lead at the quarter of an hour mark through Hassan Abdallah's lovely volley that gave Mt Kenya goalkeeper Lucas Indeche no chance.

Just a minute into the second half, Mt Kenya found themselves a man down after Indeche was sent off for a second bookable offence. William Wadri took the honours of converting the resultant penalty and made no mistake from 12 yards.

Mt Kenya had the ball in the net on 20 minutes when former Gor Mahia forward Moses Odhiambo put the ball beyond of the reach of Bandari goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo but was ruled offside.

Coach Anthony Mwangi introduced Frankline Mwenda for Boniface Mukheke after Indeche was sent off, then brought on John Ndirangu and Brian Nyakan for Boniface Kimani and and Samuel Ndung'u in search for goals.

These changes saw Mt Kenya dominate the last 10 minutes of the match and it was as a result of the pressure that they exerted that saw Bandari score an own goal through Felly Murumba as he desperately tried to clear a goal bound shot.

Mwalala admitted that although they won, they did not play well.

“Honestly it was not a sweet win despite collecting maximum points. Our opponents were reduced to 10 men and instead of us taking advantage to punish them, we relaxed and this saw us concede a goal,” said Mwalala.

Mwangi said they were denied at least a point by poor officiating.

“In this league it seems there are teams which are more equal than others when it comes to fair officiating. FKF should rein on incompetent match officials who are out to frustrate other teams that are not in their good books,” claimed Mwangi.

Bandari play Posta Rangers while Mt Kenya Kenya United will tackle Gor Mahia in midweek fixtures.