This archive report was first published on 21 November 2019.
On a thrilling Thursday evening, November 21, 2019, at Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa, AFC Leopards and Bandari clashed in a Kenya Premier League match that ended in a 2-2 draw.
The match got off to a cracking pace, with both teams eager to take the lead. It was AFC Leopards who shot themselves into the lead in the seventh minute, thanks to a fine pass from John Makwata, which Jaffari Owiti beat Bandari goalkeeper Mustapha Oduor with a calculated shot.
However, Bandari fought gallantly and were awarded three consecutive free kicks, taken by William Wadri, but Leopards custodian Benjamin Ochan kept them all out.
Bandari equalised in the 13th minute when Wadri's corner was headed by Felly Mulumba, and Yema Mwana was at hand to bury the rebound.
The visitors continued to pile the pressure and regained the lead just a minute later, when Mwakata and Mwama combined to set up Vincent Oburu, who finished with a ground shot past the helpless Oduor.
But Bandari once again fought back to level as Wadri's free-kick in the 37th minute was turned home by Cliff Kasuti.
Bandari head coach, Bernard Mwalala, expressed satisfaction with a point, having lost six consecutive matches.
“I'm happy with a point against Leopards because we've failed to get a single point from our six previous matches,” Mwalala said.
Leopards coach Casa Mbungo attributed their loss to defensive mistakes, but commended his players for their brilliant show throughout the 90 minutes.
“I'm confident Leopards is going to perform better in our next fixtures and take over top teams. We'll play to win and topple those above us in the league standing,” he said.
