Ruthless Nairobi United bounce back to deepen Bandari's woes
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Reading Time: 4min | Tue. 04.11.25. | 17:24
The win lifted Nicholas Muyoti’s side to sixth on the table with nine points, while the Dockers dropped to 14th with six
Bandari FC finally found the back of the net under new head coach Mohammed Borji, but the Moroccan tactician will have to wait longer for his first win on Kenyan soil.
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Borji, who replaced Ken Odhiambo last month, watched from the touchline as Nairobi United handed his side a 3–1 defeat at Dandora Stadium on Tuesday, 4 November.
Prince Buregeya, Enock Machaka, and Shami Kibwana were on target for the hosts, while Geoffrey Ojunga netted Bandari’s consolation.
Borji’s reign had begun with goalless draws against AFC Leopards and Mara Sugar FC, but Tuesday’s loss stretched his wait for a victory.
For the Naibois, the result offered a perfect response after their heavy defeat to Sofapaka in their last outing.
The win lifted Nicholas Muyoti’s side to sixth on the table with nine points, while the Dockers dropped to 14th with six.
Match Report
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Rwandan defender Buregeya gave Nairobi a dream start, heading home a diving effort from Ovella Ochieng’s precise corner in the fifth minute to put the Naibois ahead at Dandora Stadium
Moments later, Shariff Majabe brought down Duncan Omalla just outside the box, offering Nairobi a promising opportunity.
Ovella stepped up to take the free-kick, but his curling effort sailed well over the bar to the relief of the Bandari backline.
By the 20th minute, the Dockers had begun to find their rhythm, with Said Tsuma and Clifford Ouma both coming close to levelling matters.
Amza Ndayou remained their most potent threat upfront, constantly testing Nairobi's defensive shape with his movement and power.
The next ten minutes were tense and tactical, with neither side taking full control of the midfield.
The half’s major talking point came in the 28th minute when Abdallah Hassan danced past two defenders before unleashing a fierce shot from a tight angle.
United goalkeeper Bernard Jairo reacted brilliantly, tipping the ball out for a Dockers corner.
Bandari’s persistence paid off in the 38th minute through Ojunga’s thunderbolt. A move that started from the back saw David Sakwa’s cross find Ndayou, who cushioned it for Said Tsuma.
Tsuma then laid it off perfectly for Ojunga, with the former Mwatate United playmaker unleashing a stunning long-range effort that flew past Jairo to make it 1–1.
Tensions flared late in the half, which resulted in John Otieno and Ndayou both being booked following a brief scuffle.
That proved to be the final notable action before the referee blew for halftime, both sides heading into the break level after an engaging, hard-fought first 45 minutes.
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Second half
Just as they did in the first half, Nairobi United started the closing half with intent, confidently stringing passes from the back and pushing play forward through Duncan Omalla.
The hosts made an early change, bringing on goalkeeper Kevin Oduor for Jairo, before being awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute after Omalla was fouled by Levis Opiyo inside the box.
Enock Machaka stepped up and coolly converted two minutes later, sending Opiyo the wrong way to make it 2–1.
His celebration, crawling on all fours, mirrored the iconic “panther crawl” made famous by Cameroonian defender Aminou Bouba during his Coton Sport days.
The goal sparked the Dandora stands into life, with vuvuzelas and drums shaking the yellow-flooded terraces.
Sensing urgency, Borji threw in William Wadri and Emmanuel Tonui in the 63rd minute for Sakwa and Tsuma, in a bid to add more firepower in attack.
Meanwhile, Ovella continued to torment Andrew Juma and Shariff Majabe down the right flank, constantly cutting inside and attempting long-range efforts, though most of his shots veered off target, much to the relief of the Dockers’ defence.
Three minutes after his introduction, Tonui nearly levelled the scores but sent his shot inches wide.
Muyoti responded by introducing Shami Kibwana and Brian Magare for Lesley Owino and Michael Karamor, a move that added fresh pace and creativity.
Kibwana came close to scoring in the 72nd minute, forcing a double save from Levis Opiyo.
A rebound attempt from John Otieno was also parried back into play by the busy goalkeeper.
Four minutes later, Opiyo again denied Kibwana in a one-on-one situation, but the winger finally had the last laugh.
In the 84th minute, Kibwana sealed the victory with his first goal in Nairobi United colours.
The move began in midfield, with Magare feeding Otiende, who surged forward before releasing Omalla.
The striker squared the ball to Kibwana, who weaved past three defenders before calmly slotting into the bottom right corner to make it 3–1.
It was a composed finish to a dominant second-half display, as Nairobi United cruised to their third win of the campaign and left Bandari still searching for a spark under their new boss.
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