By Erick Banda Ndenga.
Bandari Fc suffered another humiliating 2-1 loss in the hands of Ulinzi Stars Fc in a closely contested midweek Football Kenya Federation Premier League clash played at Ulinzi Sports Complex.
New signing Staphod Odhiambo made an impressive comeback returning from injury to notch a brace in the first stanza before super sub Abdallah Hassan came off the bench in the second half to a consolation goal for Bandari Fc.
The Dockers kicked off the game on an upbeat note after beating Vihiga Bullets Fc 2-0 in their last premier league outing on Sunday with Ugandan lethal forward William Wadri setting up his Ugandan compatriot Umar Kasumba on the 8th minute but he was late to connect allowing Ulinzi Stars goalie Slyvaine Omondi to come off his posts making an easy save before he was called for action again on the 13th minute parrying off Douglas Mokaya’s effort.
The soldiers responded on the 20th minute breaking the deadlock through youngster Staphod Odhiambo when his thunderous screamer was deflected into the net past Dockers keeper Joseph Okoth giving his side an early 1-0 lead.
The former Bondo United attacking midfield maestro highly regarded as a giant killer at Ulinzi for his skills, pace and vision as well as an eye for goal had just started his goal party scoring a brace on the 26th minute after an exquisite buildup play Boniface Muchiri delivered a spectacular back-heel on his first touch finding him in space to dink an unfathomable shot over outstretched Bandari Fc custodian Joseph Okoth. It was truly mind-boggling to double their lead in a span of six minutes.
All over sudden the fierce clash took a new twist that saw Bandari Fc chasing down the game to the breather trailing 2-0.
The Dockers head coach Anthony Kimani was forced to go on the drawing board on resumption introducing into the fray Abdallah Hassan, Felix Otieno and Darius Msagha seeing Joseph Otieno, Douglas Mokaya and Siraj Mohamed paving way in a bid to reduce 2-0 deficit.
The tactical move bow fruits immediately with his side taking charge in the opening minutes of the second half with super sub Abdallah Hassan on the 58th minute when a ball is whipped in from the right flank into his path and he leapt in the air with an incredible flick sweeping the ball into the far corner with unthinkable timing and precision past onrushing Ulinzi Stars goalkeeper Slyvaine Omondi reducing the gap to 2-1 at that juncture.
On the other hand the hosts suffered a major setback on the 60th minute after Boniface Muchiri was injured prompting the soldiers head coach Bernard Mwalala to bring in Enosh Ochieng before the game turned into a cagey affair with both sides keeping a wary eye on each other.
But Bandari Fc could be having the last laugh at the brink of full time if they capitalize on their two golden chances when Abdallah Hassan attempted to score an outrageous goal outside the box after connecting well with a lovely low cross but he curled his final effort agonizingly over the bar this was followed by Umar Kasumba’s stunning chance on the 90th minute when he side stepped his marker Glen Wafula to fly the ball over the bar too with Ulinzi Stars shot stopper to beat.
On stoppage time the pitch was turned into a battle field with tackles seen in both ends but the soldiers emerged victorious in that battle of the titans as expected defending their narrow 2-1 victory until the final whistle despite Bandari Fc showcasing an outstanding performance in the second period
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