Senaji's stunner piles more miseries on Bandari

Tusker condemned Bandari to their third defeat of the season after squeezing a unanswered goal past Michael Wanyika to grab maximum points in an FKF Premier League match staged at the Ruaraka Grounds on Wednesday afternoon.

Clyde Senaji's first half stunner is all what the champions needed to beat the visitors who have now gone for five matches without a win, a run that certainly gives coach Andre Casa Mbungo sleepless nights.

The start of match was feisty with both teams struggling to take control of the game and at the same time,the chances created were uncharacteristically few owing to the magnitude of the game and the need by either teams to get back to winning ways.

The game witnessed several stoppages early on due to injuries caused by heavy tackles from both teams. Bandari were forced to make a change in the 26th minute when Dennis Magige went off with what looked like a bad injury, Collins Agade replaced him in the middle of the park. The midfield battle continued with no clear cut chances for either side.

Against the run of play, Tusker went ahead in spectacular fashion when Jimmy Mbugua raced down the left into the area and went down inside the area after a challenge from a Bandari defender, from the resultant loose ball, Senaji volleyed home leaving Wanyika rooted to the ground. The first half ended in Tusker's advantage.

Bandari made three changes after the interval in a bid to turn the tides to their advantage. Kevin Kimani, William Wadri and Abdallah Hassan were introduced for Joseph Otieno, Danson Chetambe and Darius Msagha. The changes appeared to revitalize the Dockers who went all out in search of goals.

Bandari looked better in the opening minutes of the second half, Kimani, Wadri and Benjamin Mosha looked dangerous going forward but Tusker managed to keep them at bay.

Sensing his team had lost control of the match, Tusker boss Robert Matano made changes in attack. He took off David Majak and Ibrahim Joshua for Jackson Macharia and Deogratius Ojok.

The closing stages of the game as Tusker defended well to preserve their advantage. The two teams meet again on Sunday in Mombasa for the return leg.