Kenya Police FC’s bid to keep a firm grip on their Kenyan Premier League crown hit turbulent waters on Wednesday evening after a narrow but costly 1-0 defeat to Bandari FC at a humid Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa.
The loss, sealed by a 72nd-minute corner-kick goal from Darius Msagha, dents Police’s title-defence momentum and lifts Bandari to seventh on the log with 27 points, just one behind the law enforcers, who remain fourth on 28. The contest unfolded at a measured tempo, with both sides wary of overcommitting in the oppressive coastal heat.
Police suffered a major disruption in the 35th minute when defender Brian Otieno Chonjo went down after a heavy knock.
After prolonged treatment from the physio and team doctor, he was stretchered off by paramedics, forcing head coach Nicholas Muyoti into an unplanned change, as Eric Zakayo came on.
Despite the setback, Police remained compact and organised, grinding to half-time with a barren draw. Seeking more thrust after the break, Muyoti rolled the dice just past the hour, introducing David Simiyu and Alvin Mang’eni for Hernest Malonga and David Okoth.
Bandari, however, never panicked. They kept their shape, absorbed pressure, and waited for a moment to strike. That opportunity arrived in the 72nd minute when a corner kick caused hesitation in the Police penalty area, allowing Msagha to react quickest and force the ball home.
Police threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser, making a final change in the 85th minute, as Ambrose Sifuna replaced Badi Baraka, but Bandari defended with discipline and composure to see out the contest.
After the final whistle, Bandari head coach Bernard Mwalala struck a measured tone, insisting the victory was the result of careful planning rather than emotional football.
He explained that his side had anticipated Police’s approach and tailored their strategy accordingly. “We knew Kenya Police would have a lot of the ball, so our focus was to stay organised and not get stretched,” Mwalala said, adding that the balanced first half suited Bandari’s intentions because it denied their opponents space to exploit. “We didn’t want to rush things or leave gaps because that’s how Police punish teams.”
Mwalala then turned his attention to the decisive moment, stressing that the winning goal was not accidental but rehearsed.
He revealed that set-pieces had been emphasised heavily in training. “We worked a lot on corners and dead balls because we felt that could be an area to exploit,” he said. “When the chance came, the players reacted well, and Msagha stayed alert. That kind of goal comes from concentration and belief.”
With Police pushing hard late on, the Bandari coach praised his players’ mental resilience in protecting their slender lead.
He felt the final minutes demanded discipline more than ambition. “After scoring, the challenge was to remain calm and disciplined,” Mwalala noted. “The boys followed instructions and managed the game well. At home, these are the matches you must win if you want to move up the table.”
On the opposite bench, a visibly frustrated Nicholas Muyoti reflected on a contest he believed slipped away through small but costly moments.
He admitted the early injury to Chonjo disrupted his side’s rhythm. “Losing Chonjo that early affected us because it forced a change we hadn’t planned for,” Muyoti said. “We adjusted, but it broke our flow just as we were starting to settle, even though I felt we handled the first half fairly well.”
The Police coach was particularly candid about the goal that decided the match. He conceded that a brief lapse proved decisive.
“We defended well for most of the game, but we switched off at the corner,” he said. “In a tight match like this, that’s all it takes, and it’s disappointing because staying focused is something we always talk about.”
Muyoti also addressed his team’s struggles in the final third after falling behind.
He felt intent alone was not enough. “We tried to change things with substitutions and push forward,” he explained. “We got into some promising areas, but our final ball and decision-making let us down. The effort was there, and I can’t fault the players for commitment.”
Despite the setback, Muyoti insisted the bigger picture remains intact. He urged patience as the title race continues to tighten.
“This result hurts, but it doesn’t define our season,” he said. “The league is very competitive, and every team drops points. What matters now is how we respond in the next match.”
The outcome underlines Bandari’s growing confidence under Mwalala, particularly at Mbaraki, while Kenya Police are left to regroup quickly as the title race sharpens and the margins at the summit remain unforgivingly slim.
by TONY MBALLA
