Quickfire Bandari sink Leopards

William Wadri scored a brace to give hosts Bandari a deserved 2-1 win over AFC Leopards, coach Andre Casa Mbungo sinking his former club in his first encounter against them since returning to the Kenyan Premier League.

Marvin Nabwire scored the consolation for Leopards in the entertaining clash at the Mbaraki Sports Club, Mombasa,  marking a faulty start for new coach Patrick Aussems who was taking charge of his first league match since the exit of former coach Anthony Kimani.

The win took Bandari’s tally for the season to 19, level with Leopards whose preparation for the match was overshadowed by players go-slow demanding their unpaid salaries.

Bandari started with urgency with Wadri making first attempt of the match in the opening minute through a free kick from the edge of the box and which Ochan did well to stop.

But just two minutes later the Ugandan capitalised on a poor backpass by Nabwire, beating Yusuf Mainge to the ball before dancing around Ochan for the opener.

Clyde Senaji, Jaffari Owiti and Nabwire all came close as Leopards sought to respond almost immediately, but lacked the needed finishing touch to convert the so clear chances.

In the 10th, Wadri completed his brace with yet another cool finish, dodging past Ochan who was advancing to rescue his already beaten defenders.

Leopards hitman Elvis Rupia was given no space by Bernard Odhiambo and Brian Odera, with returnee Felly Mulumba who was unusually deployed deeper in the midfield always dropping to aid in caging the dreaded attacker.

Just before the first water break, Nabwire atoned for his opening minute mistake with a powerful grass cutter in the area to beat Justin Ndikumana, thus reducing Ingwe’s deficit.

Wadri almost hit his third in the 32nd, having beaten Leopards’ man-wall to connect Danson Chetambe’s free kick but narrowly missed the target, the ball flying over the bar.

Benjamin Mosha and the ever busy Wadri traded a series of passes towards the Leopards box easily beating Robinson Kamura and Mainge, perhaps exposing the effect of boycotted training in the midweek much to the chagrin of Ochan who was hitherto being overworked.

Just before the break Mohammed Siraj’s diagonal cross outside the box found unmarked Chetambe in the middle, the former Zoo Kericho man shooting straight to Ochan despite the luxury to finish under no pressure.

At the restart, Leopards coach Patrick Aussems withdrew Austin Ochieng for Said Tsuma, who was instrumental in calming down Bandari’s speed in the midfield.

There was quite reduced activity on both ends, both midfields

In the 92nd minute, Rupia had a chance to force a draw but was adjudged to be offside as he was pulling the trigger, with only the keeper to beat.

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Bandari FC AFC Leopards

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