- A 3-1 win helped Nairobi United return to winning ways in SportPesa League.
- Prince Bugereya, Enock Machaka, Shami Kibwana scored the goals that sealed the win.
- Naibois had been beaten 3-0 by Sofapaka in their last game.
Nairobi United returned to winning ways in the 25/26 SportPesa League with a dominant 3-1 victory over Bandari FC in an entertaining clash played at the Dandora Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
After a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Sofapaka in their previous outing, coach Nicholas Muyoti made several key changes to his Nairobi United starting lineup, introducing Duncan Omala, Yusuf Mainge, Michael Karamor, Lesley Owino and Brian Mzee.
The tactical adjustments paid off as the debutants looked more compact, confident, and clinical in front of goal.
On the other end, Bandari’s new head coach Mohammed Borji also shuffled his cards, bringing in Levis Opiyo, Abdalla Hassan and David Sakwa, all of whom had missed the goalless draw against Mara Sugar in Awendo.
The Dockers were looking to secure their first win under Borji’s tenure after consecutive barren draws, but they met a well-organized Nairobi United side.
The hosts wasted no time asserting dominance as they took the lead just five minutes into the game. Rwandan forward Prince Bugereya opened his goal account for Nairobi United, heading home a well-taken free kick from Ovella Ochieng’.
Bandari responded immediately and could have equalized when Sharif Majabe missed a clear header from close range.
Nairobi nearly doubled their lead after Omala was brought down at the edge of the box, but Ovella’s resulting free kick flew just off target.
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Nairobi United return to winning ways in SportPesa League
Bandari continued pressing and got their reward in the 40th minute when Geoffrey Ojuonga unleashed a brilliant strike from 22 yards to level the score at 1-1 heading into the break.
Muyoti introduced goalkeeper Kevin Oduor for Bernard Jairo at halftime, and the change added more confidence at the back.
The hosts reclaimed their lead early in the second half when Omala was brought down inside the box. Enock Machaka stepped up and calmly sent Opiyo the wrong way to make it 2-1.
Bandari nearly levelled again in the 65th minute through Amza Ndayou’s header, which missed by inches. Muyoti then introduced experienced forward Shami Kibwana and Brian Magare, a move that immediately paid dividends.
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Shami forced Opiyo into two crucial one-on-one saves before finally breaking his resistance in the 85th minute, finishing a well-executed move involving Omala and Machaka to seal the 3-1 win.
Late substitutions saw Chris Opondo and Majaliwa Charo come on to stabilize the game as Nairobi United comfortably saw out the match.
The result handed Coach Borji his first defeat in charge of Bandari, while Nairobi United celebrated a vital home victory.
Next up, Nairobi United will host Kariobangi Sharks, while Bandari will aim to bounce back against KCB in their next league fixture.