Sharks foil Bandari, Leopards fall to Posta

Kariobangi Sharks struck early and held out for a 1-0 victory over Bandari FC to seal only their second victory of what has been an abysmal Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season.

Kevin Muchika’s 11th minute opener at the Kasarani Stadium proved the winner for the hosts who came into the clash just two points clear of the relegation zone.

After a shaky start, Bandari found their footing and were unlucky to walk out without at least a point thanks to a couple of brilliant stops from the Sharks goalkeeper Brian Bwire.

Brian Ochieng netted a second half double at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos as KCB FC sealed a 2-1 comeback win over Sofapaka FC who took the lead early through Collins Wakhungu.

The midweek late kickoff at the same venue featuring Posta Rangers and AFC Leopards ended 2-1 in favour of the former and Western Stima defeated Mathare United by a similar margin at Kisumu’s Moi Stadium.

In Kericho, Allan Wanga fired a stoppage time winner as Tusker FC edged Zoo FC 1-0 with the result lifting the visitors into second on the KPL standings, a point behind Tusker who saw off Kisumu All Stars 2-0 at Ruaraka Grounds.

Bandari were pegged back early at Kasarani after Muchika converted a low cross from James Mazembe and while Sharks had most of the possession from there on, the visitors looked the more threatening with the ball.

Cliff Kasuti did well to beat Samuel Olande with a neat skill but his final effort was kept away by Bwire as Bandari sought a route back into the game.

Bandari’s dominance grew as the half time whistle beckoned as they strung a series of passes but their front-men were not alert as the Sharks defenders comfortably cleared their lines.

Frustration boiled up in the Bandari technical area with the referee forced to issue a warning to calm the proceedings.

The Dockers started the second half as they finished the first, committing more bodies in front and mounting attack after attack but the hosts repelled every attack they strung together.

KPL RESULTS

Kenya Commercial Bank 2-1 Sofapaka

Nzoia United 0-1 Chemelil Sugar

Zoo Kericho 0-1 Kakamega Homeboyz

Ulinzi Stars 1-0 Wazito

Kariobangi Sharks 1-0 Bandari FC

Tusker 2-0 Kisumu All Stars FC

Western Stima FC 2-1 Mathare United

Posta Rangers 2-1 AFC Leopards SC

-Report by Franklin Owira and Harold Odoro