Bandari charge to top as Gor woes pile up

By Citizen Reporter ^[1], Citizen Digital

Published on 22 February 2016

Bandari FC fans cheer their team in the GOtv Shield finals. The team went to the top of the SPL on Sunday. Photo/File

Bandari FC delivered a timely reminder they will be the team to beat this season after shooting to the top of the nascent 2016 SportsPesa Premier League (SPL) on Sunday as Posta Rangers inflicted last minute pain on flailing champions, Gor Mahia.

Twahir Muhiddin's side are tied on four points at the summit of the log with Rangers, Ulinzi Stars and Mathare United after the second round of the SPL after silencing promoted Kakamega Homeboyz 2-0 at their Mbaraki Stadium backyard.

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Gor were on course of joining the frontrunners on four after Enock Agwanda gave them the lead against Rangers but their former boss, Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno had the last laugh when Georson Likonoh scored a dramatic 95th minute equalizer to earn his team a share of the spoils in a 1-1 deadlock.

Also on Sunday, Western Stima dispatched visiting City Stars 2-0 as Mathare United edged out Chemelil Sugar 1-0 at Nairobi's Nyayo Stadium to hand returning head coach Francis Kimanzi a first win of the campaign.

Round two fixtures will conclude on Monday afternoon when Sony Sugar host AFC Leopards at the Awendo Green Stadium with both seeking a first victory.

Bandari underlined their credentials when they gave Homeboyz who beat Western Stima 2-1 in their league opener last weekend on their return to the top flight a reality check.

Former Leopards captain, Bernard Mang'oli opened his account for the Dockers in the 57th minute ending what had been a tense affair at Mbaraki where the spectators had been allowed to enter free of charge.

Edwin Lavatsa, exhibiting some brilliant flashes, added the second goal for the hosts in the fourth quarter after he was set up by second half substitute Dan Sserunkuma.

Bandari's big signings delivered to send out warning they will be among of the teams to beat this season.

Frank Nutall and K'Ogalo were left waiting for a first win in 2016 after being denied the three points in the most dramatic of fashions at Nyayo and maybe as their fans sang last season on their unbeaten run to the title, perhaps Gor are indeed 'tired of winning'.

The duel between the SPL titleholders and Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions did not disappoint with Gor striker Agwanda being set up by winger Ronald Omino to score his second goal of the season from close range.

That was as good as it got for the three-peat winners as Rangers laid siege in their goal and it fell to former Chemelil Sugar midfielder Likonoh to provide the grandstand finish when he hammered the ball home from the edge of the box in the last minute of time added on.

The result left Gor languishing in 10th and the champions could be pushed further down the log should Leopards and Sony force a result in the Monday clash while Rangers who are second on goal difference on their return to the top flight proving they will be quite a handful this term.

Midfielder Daniel Mwaura scored the all important goal for Mathare in the 25th minute after Chris Oduor laid the assist with a delicious pass from a long ball delivered by defender Noah Abich.

At Moi Stadium in Kisumu, veteran Francis Ochola gave Stima the lead on 47 minutes before Baron Oketch sealed the points with a quarter of an hour to go to leave them sixth as Stars who held Bandari to a 2-2 draw remained rooted a place above the foot of the table.

On Saturday, the headline clash between the 2011/12 titleholders, Tusker FC and 2010 winners, Ulinzi Stars in Machakos went the way of the soldiers who completed a sound 2-0 win through John Makwatta and new signing Joseph Kuria.

Ulinzi are third while Tusker who opened their season with a 2-1 victory over Thika sliding to eighth ahead of the Leopards, Sony tie.

Ushuru and Thika shared a 1-1 draw in another incident packed game where Kennedy Otieno cancelled out Dennis Wafula's first half effort late on to deny the taxmen victory.

Muhoroni Youth, the surprise package of last season, recovered from defeat on opening day to edge out visiting Sofapaka 1-0 at their backyard to ensure no team enjoyed a perfect start to the campaign.

LOG

Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts

1 Bandari FC 2 1 1 0 4 2 2 4

2 Posta Rangers 2 1 1 0 3 1 2 4

3 Ulinzi Stars 2 1 1 0 2 0 2 4

4 Mathare United 2 1 1 0 2 1 1 4

5 Sofapaka 2 1 0 1 3 2 1 3

6 Western Stima 2 1 0 1 3 2 1 3

7 KK Homeboyz 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3

8 Tusker 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3

9 Muhoroni Youth 2 1 0 1 1 2 -1 3

10 Gor Mahia 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2