By ERNEST NDUNDA AND RODGERS ESHITEMI
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| Thika United’s Simon Mbugua (left) tussles for the ball against Tusker FC’s Kevin Kimani during their Kenyan Premier League match at City Stadium, yesterday. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD] |
Bandari FC collected maximum points after they eased past debutants Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) 2-0 in a Tusker Premier League match at the Mbaraki Sports Club.
The match, however, started 25 minutes late after the referee refused to blow the whistle demanding for more security.
There were only six policemen yet one of the league conditions is that there should be at least 10 officers before a match can start. More police officers had to be ferried from Port Police for the match to start.
Bandari, who were full of confidence from the start, took charge of the match, dominating possession and forcing taxmen to adopt to defensive system of play.
KRA created few scoring opportunities in the first half as Bandari produced good attacks. It was in the 29th minute when Ali Bhai broke the deadlock after he was put through by new signing Kepha Aswani to beat goalkeeper Philip Akayo for the first goal.
Shot went wide
KRA came closer to equalising in the 34th minute when Geoffrey Kataka was put through by Colis Tiego but his shot went wide.
The second half was balanced with both mid-fields producing sterling performances. Aswani silenced the few KRA fans when he connected a rebound in the 88th minute for the second goal of the match.
On the stroke of the full time, KRA were reduced to 10 men after Joseph Mulume was red-carded for a second bookable offence.
Bandari coach Twahir Muhiddin benched Alyce Mangi, Bruno Sserenkuma and Aswani for Victor Majid, Victor Ndinya and Erick Okoth while KRA rested Collins Tiego, Barrack Omondi and Roy Okal for George Mwangi, former Bandari striker Roosevelt Blaty and Michael Macharia.
Better side
Meanwhile, ten-time Kenyan Premier League Champions Tusker were held to a 1-1 draw by Thika United in their opening match of the season, yesterday at City Stadium.
The Brewers were the better side in the first half, controlling possession, but they were forced to make an early substitution in the ninth minute, bringing in Luke Ochieng’ after midfielder Fredrick Onyango suffered a double fracture of his left leg.
Thika took the lead in the 24th minute through Dennis Odhiambo’s penalty-kick after Moses Arita was brought down in the area by Joackins Atudo.
In the 43rd minute, Brian Osumba pounced on Lloyd Wahome’s superb back-ward header from Kevin Kimani’s corner-kick and fired the ball home with goalkeeper Hamza Muwonge well beaten.
On resumption, the Brewers were once again hit with an injury blow as striker Ismael Dunga limped off the pitch paving way for former KCB forward Clifford Alwanga in the 58th minute.
A few minutes later, John Kamau also made some tactical changes bringing in Michael Luvutsi and Bernard Meki for Joseph Kuria and Kennedy Agogo respectively.
