League leaders Tusker FC stumbled 2-1 to hosts Bandari to drop points in a thrilling Kenya Premier League match at Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa, Wednesday afternoon.
The brewers dropped to position two after losing their second consecutive match. They previously lost to City Stars on July 30 at the Ruaraka.
Tusker took the lead through a well-executed free-kick by centre-back Rodgers Aloro in the 37th minute to take a 1-0 advantage at the break.
Bandari, however, equalised in the 57th minute when Hassan Idd hit the net through a free-kick with skipper Joan Mwita making it 2-1 in the 77th minute after completing a fine pass from Siraj Mohammed.
Following the defeat, Tusker now lie second on the log with 56 points— two points adrift leaders KCB who secured a comfortable 2-1 win against Western Stima on Wednesday.
In an interview, Tusker tactician Robert Matano attributed the defeat to lack of concentration and team character.
Matano, however, exuded confidence that they are still in the race and will bounce back to win the remaining four matches to secure the title this season.
“We failed to make use of the chances we got and lack of concentration and team character contributed to the defeat,” said Matano.
His Bandari counterpart Andre Cassa Mbungo attributed the win to change of tactic coming from the backdrop of a 4-1 humiliation away to Nzoia Sugar FC.
Mbungo’s side had managed to secure only seven points in their last five matches—a move he attributed to Covid-19 pandemic effects.
“I am very happy with the results and the way my boys played. We made some changes which as you can see have bore fruits,” said Mbungo.
The win now puts Bandari at position 6 with 43 up from position nine after 30 matches.
Bandari next travel to face Kakamega Homeboyz in Bukhungu Stadium as Tusker face Sofapaka in a matched to be staged at the Wundanyi Stadium in Taita Taveta.
