Bandari beat KCB to leapfrog Gor Mahia at the top of the table

Mathare United FC's James Situma (left) and Collins Wakhungu of Nzoia Sugar FC during KPL SportPesa match at Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Congolese Yema Mwana's brace helped Bandari beat visiting KCB 2-1 in the SportPesa Premier League match at Mbaraki grounds yesterday.

The bankers were lifted by a late goal from Ezekiel Odera who slotted home a penalty at the stroke of full time.

The win moved Bandari back to the top of the log with 45 points. Both teams started strongly and Shaban Kenga should have put Bandari ahead in the 18th minute only for KCB goalkeeper Omar Adisa to deny him from close range.

Two minutes later Mwana was put through by Darius Msagha but once again Adisa stood firm.

Mwana's tireless goal search bore fruits in the 33rd minute after he was fed by Ugandan import William Wardi and headed the ball into the net.

The bankers threatened in the second half through Bolton Omwega and overlapping midfielder Michael Mutinda but Bandari's goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo remained unbeatable.

Mwana made it two in the 75th minute off Abdallah Hassan's cross before Odera pulled one back for the bankers on the stroke of full time.

In Kisumu, visiting Ulinzi Stars piled more pressure on under-fire coach Paul Ogai by edging out Western Stima 2-0 at Moi Stadium.

Enosh Ochieng double was enough for the soldiers to collect maximum points scoring in both halves as the Ulinzi moved up to eighth in the standings.

Nyaudo said he’s happy with the performance of his charges who have recorded back to back wins for the first time since January.

“The boys performed better today and getting three points away is vital for us as we seek to move into the top four, which is only six points away now,” he said.

Stima coach Ogai rued missed chances in the match and lack of concentration in defence.

“We didn’t take our chances in the match and that cost us. We have to win our next matches if we are to survive,” Ogai said.

The power men dropped to 13 on the log after the loss, six points off the relegation zone.

In Kericho, Zoo put up a spirited show as they won their relegation scrap with Vihiga United 1-0 at Kericho Green Stadium. The win takes them level with Vihiga on 20 points.

In Nairobi, Mathare United bounced back to winning ways after overcoming Nzoia Sugar 3-2 at Kasarani Stadium as Enosh Ochieng’s double inspired Ulinzi Stars to a 2-0 victory against hosts Western Stima.

Clifford Alwanga bagged a brace to help Francis Kimanzi’s men end their four-game winless run.

Experienced midfielder Kevin Kimani gave Mathare the lead in the third minute when his effort from Chrispin Oduor’s flick deflected off a defender and beat goalkeeper Humphrey Katasi.

But Kimani’s celebrations were cut short by Nzoia captain Vincent Ngesa’s equalizer seven minutes later. The defender easily tapped home Gabriel Wandera’s header from a free kick.

But the hosts regained the lead three minutes later after Alwanga capitalized on Matasi’s goalkeeping error before he grabbed his brace in the 65th minute when he headed home David Owino’s pin-pointed cross in the box.

Kevin Juma then capitalized on Johnstone Omurwa’s defensive blunder to make it reduce the deficit but Mathare held their nerves to claim the victory.

“It was also an impressive outing for bottom-rooted Mt Kenya United who upset Chemelil Sugar 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller in Machakos as Zoo silenced visiting Vihiga United 1-0 in a relegation zone tie."

Yesterday’s SPL results

Bandari 2-1 KCB

Zoo 1-0 Vihiga United

Mathare United 3-2 Nzoia Sugar

Mt Kenya United 4-3 Chemelil Sugar

Western Stima 0-2 Ulinzi Stars