Bandari add to Wazito’s woes as Bidco drop points against Vihiga Bullets

© Bandari

FKFPL Bandari add to Wazito’s woes as Bidco drop points against Vihiga Bullets

Festus Chuma 17:30 - 28.05.2023

Wazito stretched their unbeaten streak to nine in ten games this term, while

Bandari FC returned to winning ways in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL)  after they edged struggling Wazito FC  1-0 at the Mbaraki Sports Club on Sunday afternoon.

Abdallah Hassan’s 10th minute goal settled the contest in Mombasa, although Clinton Okoth came close in the first half when he struck the woodwork.

Twahir Muhidin’s side closed within eight points of KCB in fifth place with their 15th win of the season, with Wazito woes deepening following a 17th loss in the season.

Wazito were seeking their first victory in eight league matches in a bid to escape the relegation zone, while Bandari looked to keep their fading top-five hopes alive.

The Dockers made a bright start and Fidel Oringa  had a shot blocked inside the first minute before Doglas Mokaya tested Tom Muthomi with a header on five minutes after getting on the end of Mohamed Siraj's cross.

Twahir Muhudin's charges created a couple of chances themselves and  they were rewarded on the 10th minute  when Abdallah Hassan completed a beautiful pass from Uganda international William Wadri.

It was total dominance by the Dockers and they could have easily turned it into more goals.   

Umaru Kasumba  had a chance to extend the lead on the stroke of half-time after a great pass by Shassiri Nahimana but the attacker shot high and wide. 

Wazito hardly threatened Bandari in the first half, something Charles Odero should have seen and capitalized on by adding more numbers upfront.

However, this wasn't the case as Wazito looked too worried to keep their shape and avoid being caught on a counter-attack as they avoided the second goal.

Wits started the second half on the front foot and they came close to breaking the deadlock as Domingo fired from outside the box. 

Umaru Kasumba missed an opportunity to extend Bandari's lead from Mohamed Siraj’'s cross but his header went wide. 

Another cross by Odera connected with Kasumba but his shot was blocked as Wits bombarded Wazito's penalty area.

Muhidin then introduced James Kinyanjui, Enoch Machaka and Amos Asembeka in quick succession midway through the second half. 

Nonetheless, Bandari continued to be wasteful in front of goal, and Muhidin couldn't control himself in the technical team area.

In the end, Bandari settled for a slim 1-0 win despite controlling the match against a Wazito side that had tactical discipline at the back.

Bidco 3-3 Vihiga Bullets 

At Kasarani Annex, Bidco United played host to relegated side Vihiga Bullets in Nairobi.

Bullets , who were looking to snap their eight-match winless run in the league, pushed for an early goal, but Bidco were able to contain the hosts.

However, they established a two-goal advantage with the first one arriving courtesy of Nicholas Masamba who picked up a loose ball and drove toward the edge of the box before firing home a long-range shot which left goalkeeper Luca Indeche stunned.

The second arrived just a couple of minutes later, with theBullets  team putting together a flowing move from defense to attack which ended with Ugandan striker  Jessey Kajumba coolly sending the ball past the former AFC Leopards custodian with a 2-0 lead. The Oilers backline appeared to be all at sea.

The remainder of the first half turned into a somewhat scrappy affair, but that didn’t stop Bullets from taking advantage of some poor defending from the visitors, as Joseph Oyugi continued his excellent recent form but his shot hit the crossbar  in the final minute of regulation time.

Bidco made a couple of changes at the start of the second half and they pulled one back in the 48th minute courtesy of Ezekiel Okare.

However, Vihiga Bullets claimed the third goal in the 56th minute when Kajuba buried a low, left-footed shot after being put in behind the defence by Buxton Wachie to make it 3-1.

Bidco fought hard and they were rewarded in the 75th minute courtesy of Jacob Onyango after some impressive persistence by the Thika-based outfit.

The hosts continued with relentless attacks and leveled matters through second-half substitute David Orem.

The hard-working marksman turned his marker before beating  Vihiga’s goal stopper Ruben Nyongesa  to make it 3-3 as Antony Akhulia's men displayed their fighting spirit.