Debutants Bandari ship out TZ’s Singida United: Dockers await winner between Yanga and Kariobangi Sharks

Part of Bandari FC team break at half-time during their KPL Match against Nakumatt FC at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos County on Sunday April 29, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Wadri’s penalty enough to book semi-final slot for Mwalala’s boys.

Bandari put up an emphatic display on their first appearance at SportPesa Cup to beat Tanzania’s Singida United and book themselves a semi-final at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

William Wadri’s penalty in the 65th minute did the trick for Bandari after Boniface Maganga handled in the box.

Bandari started the match strongly with striker Wycliffe Ochomo failing to put the dockers ahead in the sixth minute when drilled wide from close range.

The Kenyans also survived an early scare in the 16th minute when Kenny Ally and Athanas Mdam combined well onlyb for goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo’s out-stretched right leg to save the latter’s shot.

Bandari’s dominance continued with stocky Wycliffe Ochomo and Wadri mounting pressure on Singida’s defence manned by Frank Zakaria and Mohammed Abdallah.

Yesterday’s match saw the return of Bernard Odhiambo and Darius Msagha of Bandari from long term injuries.

Bernard Mwalala’s men should have taken the lead in the 37th minute head after Wadri’s well taken header was blocked by goalkeeper Said Lubawa.

Awesu Awesu should have struck the opener for the Mwanza-based Singida United, only for him to hoof the ball over the bar in the 39th minute.

Poor decision making by Ochomo and Darius Msagha saw Bandari squander several opportunities as the score stood at 0-0 at the end of the first stanza.

The second half was full of fireworks as each team went for each other’s neck.

It was in the 65th that Bandari’s pressure told when Maganga handle the ball in the box. Wardi converted the resultant , cooly finding the bottom left corner of goalkeeper Lubawa.

More scoring opportunities went Bandari’s way, but Ochomo and Abdallah Hassan failed to convert them.

Singida coach Gragan Popadil conceded defeat and wished Bandari the best in the subsequent matches.

Coach Bernard Mwalala for Bandari said his boys played well and deserved the win.

“We had to cool down the game to avoid exhaustion after taking the lead. It was a difficult match, but we got the job done,” said Mwalala.