Bandari FC clinched a narrow 1-0 victory against the defending champions Gor Mahia in a thrilling encounter held at Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa.
The win propelled the Dockers to second place on the league standings with 43 points, trailing leaders Gor Mahia by seven points.
Gor Mahia displayed early dominance, controlling the game’s tempo in the first quarter with their attacking prowess led by Benson Omala. However, Bandari’s solid defense managed to contain their threats.
In the 23rd minute, Austin Odhiambo unleashed a dangerous free kick that beat goalkeeper Joseph Ochuka, but Bandari’s defense cleared the ball off the line to deny Gor Mahia an opener.
Just five minutes before halftime, Bandari FC broke the deadlock with their first shot on target, courtesy of Fidel Otieno’s clinical finish.
In the second half, Gor Mahia made an instant substitution, bringing on Alpha Onyango for Lawrence Juma in an attempt to bolster their attack. Despite several opportunities, Bandari’s top scorer Francis Kahiro missed two clear chances to extend their lead, with Gor Mahia’s goalkeeper Kevin Omondi called into action to keep his team in the game.
In the dying minutes of the match, Gor Mahia’s star striker Benson Omala came close to equalizing, but his effort was calmly saved by goalkeeper Joseph Ochuka, securing the victory for Bandari. Reflecting on the match, Bandari coach John Baraza emphasized the importance of collecting maximum points against the defending champions, praising his team’s defensive resilience.
Meanwhile, Gor Mahia tactician Johnathan McKinstry expressed frustration with his team’s performance, lamenting their lack of luck and missed opportunities in front of goal.
In other league matches, City Stars were held to a 1-1 draw by Bidco FC, while Murang’a Seal secured a 2-1 victory over Sofapaka.
