Bandari retail Nakumatt to march on in GOtv defence

Bandari moved closer to defending their title after narrowly beating National Super League (NSL) table toppers Nakumatt Fc 2-1 in a round of 32 GOtv Shield clash played at Nairobi’s Safaricom Stadium on Friday.

Substitute Michael Apudo and David Kingatua struck for the coast based side in the 55th and 88th minutes as they left it late to down the promotion-chasing side who had levelled through Christopher Wekesa in the 80th in a repeat of last year’s final.

Nakumatt who were seeking revenge blew the chance to take the lead after Peter Nzuki, who has been the captain since the club was promoted to the second tier, missed a penalty in the 11th.

Bandari become the second team to proceed to the round of 16 after Kariobangi Sharks booked their place by winning 5-4 on post-match penalties against Palos FC in an all NSL encounter after the match had ended 2-2 in normal time.

Ivan Mugisha scored the opener for the Kisumu-based side in the seventh before Sharks levelled matters through Geoffrey Shiveka’s spot kick nine minutes before the break.

Rodgers Ochieng gave Sharks the lead in the 56th before former Chemelil Player Eddie Balaa equalised from the penalty spot in the 73rd.

Head Coach Ken Odhiambo was delighted with his charges, crediting teamwork and hard work in training for the win.

“We have been practicing this moves in the training ground for weeks and finally it paid off. Sserenkuma could have tried to shoot at goal but he decided to pass it to his team mate, that’s when you know your players are listening to you,” the elated gaffer revealed.

“I knew sending in Apudo would be a good move as off late he has been our go to guy whenever we are struggling in a game. Last time he was our savior against Muhoroni and now he has done it again today,” he added.

Nakumatt assistant Coach Fred Ambani rued the chances they missed in the first half but promised to seek revenge if the side are promoted to the top flight.

“We will blame ourselves for not taking hold of the match through that missed penalty and the chances we created but could not convert. If we are promoted to the KPL next season you can bet will be looking to avenge today’s defeat,” he underscored.

The NSL side dominated the early exchanges but could not account for the possession as they failed to convert the numerous chances they were making.

The second-tier league leaders got off to a good start after former Sofapaka player Felly Mulumba was adjudged to have handled in the box 10 minutes into the match with Center Referee Raymond Onyango pointing to the spot.

Nakumatt Captain Nzuki stepped forward to take the resultant penalty but fluffed it after Joseph Okothit guessed right parring it wide for a fruitless corner.

The visiting team responded a minute later, with Shaban Kenga’s shot troubling the Nakumatt custodian who punched the ball back into play and King’atua latched onto the rebound but failed to convert as his indecision forced him to shoot straight at the keeper.

The hosts piled pressure on Bandari forcing Ezekiel Owade to intervene in the 20th after John Njoroge had squared a sublime ball to Bernard Meki who in turn missed a perfect sitter.

The defending champions went looking for the opening goal on the quarter hour mark after Captain Kenga released 2014 KPL player of the year Dan Sserenkuma on the left flank who in turn found King’atua in the box but the keeper came to the rescue before he could pull the trigger.

Former Tusker FC and Sony Sugar player Joshua Oyoo went close to breaking the deadlock three minutes before the break going past two defenders but his attempt was blocked.

Bandari took the lead after substitute Apudo latched onto a loose ball and beat Nakumatt custodian via a beautiful curling volley to make it 1-0.

After the hour mark Apudo had the chance to notch his brace after an inch perfect pass from Sserenkuma put him straight on goal but his shot went wide.

Veteran left back Wekesa levelled the score ten minutes to the end after he connected to Nzioki’s well-weighted inswinger and placed it past the custodian.

Bandari however snatched the winner in the dying minutes of the match after Sserenkuma’s dashing run from the left flank released unmarked Kingatua who made no mistake burying it in the back of the net.