Gor Mahia suffered their second defeat of the FKF Kenya Premier League (KPL) season at KPA Mbaraki Sports Club, losing 1-0 to Bandari FC on Saturday.
Bandari broke the deadlock in the 38th minute with Fidel Origa netting the lone goal from Nahimana Shasshiri’s precise pass. Origa’s shot eluded Gor Mahia goalkeeper Omondi Kevin, giving Bandari a crucial lead with their first shot on target.
Hosts Bandari played counter-attacking throughout the game while Gor Mahia played an attacking game creating numerous chances, but failing to utilize any.
The victory reduced the point gap between league leaders Gor Mahia and Bandari to just 7 points, presenting an opportunity to intensify the title race and keep the competition alive.
Bandari Coach, John Baraza, was happy with his players’ effort that allowed them to get all three points against a tough team they faced.
“Today we won against a very toughened team, this means the league is still open for any team to win. I would like to thank all the fans who showed up to support the team as the win was for them since I had promised them that we would beat Gor,” said Baraza.
Baraza acknowledged that the closure of KPA Mbaraki Sports Club for renovations would be deeply felt by the team. With many of their fans residing in Mombasa, the temporary absence of matches at the stadium means they will miss out on the opportunity to support their beloved team in person.
Gor Mahia coach, Johnathan McKinstry, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, noting that they executed their game plan effectively by playing the ball well, getting around Bandari, and applying pressure. However, despite their efforts, they were stopped by Bandari’s solid defensive line.
“We had a couple of big chances but we were unable to score, Bandari had one chance and used it well, but that’s how football works. I think if we play like that every day, we can win a lot of games making us retain our title,” stated McKinstry.
When questioned about the potential impact of the loss, McKinstry remained steadfast, asserting that nothing had changed in their fight for the title. He emphasized that trophies are not awarded in March but in May, indicating a long road ahead in the league campaign.
Bandari FC’s clash with Gor Mahia marked the final match at their home stadium, which is set to undergo renovations expected to last six months with the renovation project expected to cost the club over Sh300 million.
By Abdulrahman Allui
