CAF Confederations Cup: Bandari dock Tunisians

Bandari FC players celebrate against US Ben Guerdane of Tunisia. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Bandari have one foot in the CAF Confederations Cup after dispatching Tunisian side US Ben Guerdane 2-0 in the first leg match at Kasarani Stadium yesterday.

Two second half goals by Yema Mwana and Abdalla Hassan made all the difference for the Dockers who had looked in trouble in the first half.

Bandari should have won the match by an even bigger margin had they taken their chances in a first half that they dominated.

First William Wadri missed converting with only the goalkeeper to beat in the 26th minute.

Then Guerold Mwamba looked to have put the Dockers ahead from close range with two minutes to the break but he was denied by the goalkeeper for a fruitless corner.

Come the second half and Bandari raised the tempo and were duly rewarded with both goals coming from set-pieces.
Mwana’s first goal was in the 77th minute and came from a corner. Then Hassan scored in the 83rd minute from a free-kick.

Bandari just need a draw in the return match to qualify for the group stages which comes with monetary rewards.

Coach Bernard Mwalala said he will opt to defend the two goals and try and get one in the return match on September 29.

“We cannot celebrate yet. This is half time. We will go there and try and defend the two goals and fight to score once to be sure of going to the next stage. Today, the boys gave their all and were impressive in every way,” he said.

In the Kenyan Premier League (KPL), Sony Sugar picked their first win of the season winning 2-1 away to Nzoia Sugar at Sudi Stadium.

Stephen Onyango gave the sugar men the lead five minutes before the break and Salmon Omollo doubled their advantage in the 65th minute before Brian Wepo scored Nzoia Sugar’s consolation goal.

In Kisumu, Western Stima held visiting Wazito to a barren draw in a tight match played at Moi Stadium.

This was the second consecutive draw for the power men but head coach Salim Babu is still adamant they will soon come good.

“We played very well but the goals were not coming. We are still in the hunt for our first win of the season and the team has just to work hard and keep believing. If we are not losing its good but we need wins now,” he said.

In Nakuru, Sofapaka held hosts Ulinzi Stars to a barren draw at Afraha Stadium.

Ulinzi Stars will have themselves to blame as they dominated possession but wasted a couple of scoring opportunities.

The soldiers could have gone ahead in the fourth minute after Oscar Wamalwa missed a low cross from Harun Mwale.

In the 33rd minute, Ulinzi wasted another open chance after Enosh Ochieng won the ball in the third quarter of the field, exchanged passes with Elvis Nandwa to set up Bernard Ogoma whose shot flew wide.