FKFPL: Red-hot Koutiama strikes again as Police gun down Bandari

Reigning FKF Premier League champions Kenya Police registered their second consecutive victory after seeing out Bandari 2-0 at the Police Sacco Grounds on Sunday, 1 March.

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The law enforcers, who ended their four-game winless run with a 2-0 win over Sofapaka on Thursday, 26 February, were on top of their game again, as they scored in either half to momentarily climb up to fourth spot in the standings.

Nicholas Muyoti’s side opened the scoring in the 13th minute, when the in-form Yves Koutiama tapped into an empty net, capitalizing off a fine assist from the speedy Eric Zakayo.

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The goal from Koutiama was his second in as many matches, and extended his brilliant run of form to six goals in the nine games he has featured in, since his mid-season acquisition from USFA Ouagadougou.

It would take till the 75th minute for the hosts to settle the contest, when centre back Jacques Ndecket Bowamba netted his first goal for the club with a strong header from a corner, feeding off another fine delivery from Zakayo.

Police, who with the two goals put aside their 1-0 defeat to The Dockers in January’s first-leg, looked the better side throughout the match played on a wet, muddy surface, and could have walked away with more goals to their name.

Bandari, with their first defeat since losing out to Shabana in early February, remained seventh on the log with 32 points.

Match Report

After a much-needed victory over Sofapaka in mid-week, there was optimism that the tide was slowly turning in favor of Muyoti, who had struggled to quickly get his feet under the table.

A promising start from his side playing infront of their fans was all that he needed, as skipper Abud Omar wrote the early signs of trouble for Bandari with a curler in the sixth minute that just sailed wide.

The next opportunity seven minutes later was not going to be wasted, as Brian Odera got in his own way in midfield, handing the initiative to the wave of red shirts that ended up cconverting from the loose turnover.

Odera's loose ball was sprayed to the left for Zakayo, who drove with speed to find an unmarked Koutiama to side-foot home, this as Alaine Ngeleka in the Bandari goal gesticulated for a non-existent offside.

Samuel Quanah was the next man in line to bombard the Bandari goal in the 17th minute, but shot straight at the keeper.

Bandari, who were awfully subdued, could only fancy their chances from a distant freekick in the 25th minute, which was hit wide by the quiet Darius Msagha, who offered a pale comparison to the man whose goal drowned Police down at the coast in January.

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Edward Omondi's quick feet offered him a chance at a strike from the right in the 37th minute, but he too sent his shot wide, as did Koutiama three minutes later, as he curled his effort over the bar.

Zakayo and the Burkinabe striker Koutiama did have another crack before the break, but the latter laid it on for Ngeleka to leave Muyoti's side only a goal to the good.

The second period offered a different look to the first half, as Bandari, who made two changes at the break to introduce Geoffrey Ojunga and Clifford Omondi, attacked with ferocity, but could not find a way past the impressive Daniel Ogembo.

The Dockers' best opportunity came two minutes past the hour-mark, when Frank Ouya was sent through on goal, but only lashed at Ogembo with the goal gaping.

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Minutes before that, Ngeleka had preserved Bandari's hopes with two big stops to deny Koutiama from adding to his tally.

Police, who lost Koutiama to an injury, did get the cushion with 15 minutes left on the clock, when the tall Ndecket outjumped Joseph Otieno to send a strong header past Ngeleka and his last man to the net.

That proved to be the clincher on a day where Police left more goals on the table, but most importantly, found a way to win again.