Strikers fire blanks as Bandari maintain top spot in FKF league

Bandari players celebrate after thrashing Mathare United 3-0 during their opening FKF Premier League match at Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa.[Courtesy-Bandari FC]

The 2021-2022 FKF Premier League season resumed over the weekend after a three-week break with round two matches across the country where Bandari was forced to dig deep to maintain their top spot in the new season.

Fans were treated to a five-goal thriller on Saturday when Bandari thrashed hosts Bidco 3-2 at Thika Stadium to maintain a perfect start to the season with six points at the top.

Despite kicking off the round two matches with five goals, only 13 goals in total were witnessed over the weekend in the seven matches played across the country.

The exit of top scorer exit of Erick Kapaito and Elvis Rupia seem to have watered down the local league.

The duo scored a combined 41 goals between them last season, but has since left the local scene in search of greener pastures.

Previously with Kariobangi Sharks, Kapaito who scored 24 goals that saw him voted the league’s Most Valuable Player and golden boot winner is currently playing in the Ethiopian Premier League while Rupia who turned out for AFC Leopards si plying his trade in Qatar.

Speaking to the Standard Sports, former FKF Premier League top scorer and Harambee Stars international Boniface Ambani believes the exit of the duo does not affect the league’s status and competitiveness but offers opportunity for new stars to rise.

Ambani called upon the current strikers to rise from the shadows and take centre stage because he believes the vacuum left by Kapaito and Rupia can be filled.

“Every player dreams of playing outside Kenya and turning professional. I don’t see how that can affect the standards of football. This is because it provides the stage for new strikers to rise up to the occasion.”

“The league is only two rounds old and I believe players will rise and compete when action resumes regularly,” said Ambani who scored an impressive 26 goals in the then Kenya Premier League season during the 2006 campaign for current champions Tusker.

Meanwhile, Bandari head coach Cassa Bungo is calling for calm among his players.

“There is still work to be done. We thank God for the two wins but I believe we still got a lot of work to do to,” he said.