Bandari FC came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Gor Mahia in their Kenyan Premier League match at Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa.
Gor Mahia took the lead in the first half through Adukwan Ebenezza, but substitute Geoffrey Ojunga hit back for Bandari after the break to ensure the sides shared the spoils.
Gor Mahia started brightly, dominating the opening stages as Sharif Musa and Austin Odhiambo repeatedly tested the Bandari backline. Despite the early pressure, Bandari managed to stay organised and gradually settled into the match.
Bandari registered their first shot on target in the 25th minute when Izzadin Juma tested goalkeeper Brynne Omondi, who gathered the effort comfortably.
Gor Mahia broke the deadlock in the 30th minute through Adukwan Ebenezza, who reacted quickly to meet a low pass from Sharif Musa, beating goalkeeper Alain Ngeleka with a composed finish. K’Ogalo carried their 1-0 advantage into halftime.
Bandari made attacking changes at halftime, bringing on William Wadri, Alfred Emoni and Geoffrey Ojunga. The substitutions paid off as Ojunga rose to head in a Hassan Abdalla free-kick in the 57th minute, pulling the hosts level.
Bandari continued to chase a second goal, with Ojunga and Joseph Onyango threatening the Gor Mahia goal, although their attempts lacked precision. Ojunga nearly stole it late on with a powerful strike that missed the upright by inches following a quick counter-attack.
After the match, Bandari coach Razak Siwa applauded his team’s determination and improvement.
“It was a tough game, but the boys gave everything. This is a good start for us, and I believe we are moving in the right direction toward reclaiming our identity,” he said.
Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor attributed the draw to the poor playing surface at Mbaraki Stadium.
“We couldn’t play our normal game because of the field, so we opted for a medium press. It worked and got us a goal, and we performed well especially in the second half, but we failed to capitalise on the chances we created,” Akonnor noted.
By Abdularhman Allui
