Bandari wish this top ride won’t end soon
Football
By
Washington Onyango
| Sep 27, 2021
Bandari are top of the FKF Premier League table after starting off the new season on a high note at the weekend that saw the fall of last season’s top performers.
The new season kicked off without a title sponsor which also signals tough financial times for many clubs that lack sponsorship.
The financial turmoil comes after the exit of title sponsors BetKing who left towards the end of last season.
Last season’s champions Tusker and runner-up KCB kicked off the 2021-2022 campaign on the wrong foot after losing their opening matches.
It was also similar problems for Mathare United, who find themselves bottom of the table again after occupying the same position for the better part of last season before evading relegation by a whisker.
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Bandari, however, had the brightest start of the 18-topflight teams after thrashing Mathare 3-0 in Mombasa.
The win saw Anthony Kimani start off his life at the dock on a winning note, a feat that was also achieved by former AFC Leopards and Wazito midfielder Whyvonne Isuza who scored a brace in the big win.
Victory takes the Dockers top of the table with three points and three goals.
Former champions Sofapaka are second also with three points but with an inferior goal difference of two goals after their 3-1 victory over Nairobi City Stars.
Inspired by Benson Omalla’s brace, record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia started their journey to recapture their lost glory with a 2-1 win over KCB to sit third with one goal difference.
The biggest shock came in Thika when AFC Leopards, who are banned from signing players, defeated defending champions Tusker 1-0.
While Leopards has not signed any players after losing senior stars, who played a crucial role in the club’s fourth-place finish last season, Tusker have bolstered their squad immensely.
The brewers have roped in more than 12 players. Barred to sign any player for failing to pay former players and coaches who have sued them, Leopards’ bench was made up of youngsters from their youth team.
Tusker coach Robert Matano blamed the defeat on injuries but promised to come back.
“All our midfielders have injuries. Our strikers are also injured. We lost because I did not have the first 11 I would have desired to have, but we will be back stronger in two weeks,” said Matano.
Kariobangi Sharks, Kakamega Homeboyz, Leopards and Ulinzi Stars all won their matches with a 1-0 score line and sit tied in fourth.
Newbies Talanta and Vihiga Bullets avoided defeats in their debut.