Bandari FC will ruffle AFC Leopards’ feathers when the two sides clash in their SportPesa League season opener at Police Sacco Stadium on Wednesday, with the Dockers eager to make an early statement in the title race.
The Mombasa-based side finished 12th last season, a position head coach Charles Okere believes falls short of the club’s stature.
They now face a stern examination against Leopards, who finished runners-up and are determined to mount another challenge for the league crown.
Both sides will be eager to make a winning start to the delayed 2026/27 campaign when they meet at 4 pm, following months of uncertainty surrounding the league’s commencement.
Okere is under no illusion about the task ahead for his charges but believes Bandari have what it takes to trouble Ingwe and take maximum points. “We know it won’t be a walk in the park, but Bandari is a strong team, and we are very ready,” Okere said.
The Dockers have set their sights on a much-improved campaign, with the coach insisting that a club of Bandari’s standing should be competing at the top end of the table rather than settling for a mid-table finish.
“A club like Bandari should not be finishing in that position. We have set our targets, and we want to challenge for the title. We have to start by showing what we are capable of doing,” he said.
Bandari have had an extended pre-season to work on their tactics, test different formations and build combinations ahead of the new campaign. A 2-0 friendly victory over Kenya Police offered an encouraging boost as they prepared for the competitive test against Leopards.
“We have had a good pre-season, and it has helped us work on different areas of our game. We have tried different formations and looked at how best to use the players we have. The important thing is to carry that work into competitive matches,” Okere said.
The Dockers have also bolstered their squad with the signings of Derrick Nsibambi and Lawrence Okoth as they seek to sharpen their attack and turn their ambitions into results. Okere expects a tough contest against Leopards but insists his team has a plan to deal with the challenge.
“They are a strong team to play against, but we have a plan. Since this is our first match of the season, it means a lot in determining how our campaign will shape up,” he said. Bandari captain Andrew Juma shares the coach’s confidence, saying the players are ready to put their pre-season work to the test.
“The coaches have pushed us hard, and we have also worked on playing the system they want us to use. It has come together well,” Juma said.
The captain acknowledged the demands of pre-season but maintained that the squad was mentally prepared for the opener.
“It has been a rough pre-season, but our preparation is good. Everyone is ready. Psychologically, we are well prepared,” he said.
Juma said Bandari were targeting silverware on two fronts this season. “Our targets this season are to win both the Premier League and the League Cup,” he said.
However, his availability for Wednesday’s match remains uncertain following reports of a late injury setback. Leopards, under Fred Ambani, will be eager to build on last season’s second-place finish as they pursue their first league title since 1998.
Ingwe have the history and home advantage, but Bandari will be keen to upset their plans and begin their campaign on a high. The head-to-head record gives Leopards a slight edge, with 13 victories against Bandari’s 10 since the 2009/10 season. Eleven matches have ended in draws, while the last three league meetings have all finished goalless, including their February encounter at Mbaraki Grounds.
Wednesday’s clash offers both sides a chance to break that stalemate and lay down an early marker.
A win would see Bandari bounce back from last season’s disappointment and make an early statement of intent, while Leopards will be chasing three points to boost their bid for a first league title since 1998.
