Bandari steady ship, join Tusker and Homeboyz in league title race

Gor Mahia's Geoffrey Ochieng (right) tackles Yema Mwana of Kakamega Homeboyz in their FKF Premier League match at Kasarani Stadium, on Saturday. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Bandari on Sunday closed the gap between them and joint FKF Premier League leaders Tusker and Kakamega Homeboyz to four points after registering their fifth consecutive win after defeating 10-man Kariobangi Sharks 2-0.

The win lifted the dockers to 53 points, four points behind Tusker and Homeboyz, but with a game in hand.

On Saturday, record-Kenyan champions Gor Mahia held Homeboyz to a 1-1 draw before defending champions Tusker failed to capitalise on their rivals' slip up. They drew 2-2 against relegation-fighting Nzoia Sugar.

Speaking after their win against Sharks, Bandari coach Anthomy Kimani said he was impressed with his team's display, adding that the job is not yet done until the season ends.

“Winning away is not always easy and I am glad we pulled through against a very good team with an experienced coach. The job is far from over and all we need to do is keep winning matches and see how it goes at the end of the campaign,” said Kimani.

On the other hand, Tusker’s Robert Matano blamed his defenders for their slip up, but said they will fight to the end and keep believing.

"We did not defend well against Nzoia. It was was not good at all as we reacted late in the match, allowed them freedom and got punished. However, all is not lost because the title race will go all the way to the wire," Matano said.

The brewers have played 31 rounds of matches and will face Bidco United and Posta Rangers in their last two matches.

Homeboyz also have a game in hand and still have AFC Leopards, FC Talanta and Kariobangi Sharks to contend with.

In the relegation zone, Vihiga Bullets failed to capitalise on home ground advantage to close the gap between them and Wazito after their barren draw against Ulinzi Stars.

Bullets are 17th with 21 points after the draw, four points behind Wazito, who occupy the promotion-relegation playoffs position.

At the same time, Nzoia Sugar moved further away from the danger zone after their draw against title-chasing Tusker.

The sugarmen are 15th with 27 points, six points away from the drop zone.