Abdallah brace lifts Bandari over Mount Kenya

Hassan Abdallah came off the bench to score a brace and inspire a thrilling comeback as Bandari FC defeated Mount Kenya United 3-2 at the Mbaraki Sports Club on Wednesday.

Bandari have been out of sorts lately, going five matches without a win and their frailing title challenge looked set to hit another bump when they fell 1-0 down after 21 minutes.

Musa Ekai had the simplest job of rolling home the opener after goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo had punched Joseph Wanyonyi’s volleyed effort into his path.

The hosts responded through Shaban Kenga who headed home a lovely cross from Dan Otewa but Ekai doubled his money six minutes later to restore his side’s lead.

The introduction of Abdallah proved a game-changer for Bernard Mwalala’s charges as the 22-year-old went on to score a nine-minute brace to turn the tide against Mount Kenya.

It was a huge relief for Mwalala who had seen his side’s title challenge come tumbling down and was on the end of angry taunts from the Bandari faithful at Mbaraki who demanded better from the team.

Victory lifted them one place into third on the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) standings, level with Sofapaka FC on 36 points and eight adrift leaders Gor Mahia FC.

In the match-day’s early kick-off, Western Stima rallied to hold Tusker FC to a 1-1 draw at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos thanks to second half goals from Boniface Muchiri and Samuel Odhiambo.

Moses Mudavadi scored the decisive goal for Kakamega Homevoyz in their 1-0 win over Ulinzi Stars while a late Nicholas Kipkirui penalty gifted Gor Mahia FC a 3-2 victory at Sony Sugar.

Enock Agwanda and Joseph Nyatini scored for Sony with Jacques Tuyisenge and Samuel also on target for Gor. The hosts finished the match a man down after Samuel Njau was sent off in stoppage time.

Clinton Kisiavuki’s goal in Machakos handed KCB FC a 1-0 win over Mathare United.