New signings Derrick Otanga and David Owino scored the all-important goals that ensured the Nairobi club emerged winners in Mombasa
KCB maintained their unblemished record in the Football Kenya Federation Premier league after a late 2-1 win at Mbaraki Stadium on Friday.
Derrick Otanga and David Owino played critical roles in the showdown that turned in their favour as their race in fighting for the maiden league title gathers speed.
The Dockers would have taken an early lead but Shaban Kenga failed to make maximum use of his fourth and sixth-minute opportunities.
Bernard Odhiambo saved the day for Bandari in the eighth minute as he stopped a well-engineered counter-attack by the Bankers.
Harambee Stars forward Hassan Abdalla attempted to find the top corner with an outrageous strike outside the box in the 19th minute, but his effort flew just over the crossbar as KCB’s defenders looked comfortable in dealing with attacks from the hosts.
Another chance for Bandari came in the 25th minute when Yema Mwana and Kenga produced a good combination but the final cross did not land in Wadri’s path, where he was in a good goal-scoring position.
KCB took a surprising lead in the 32nd-minute when former Wazito FC and Sony Sugar striker Otanga found the back of the net.
The FKF Shield Cup champions had settled in the game and looked the side likely to get an opener, but Zedekiah Otieno’s men cautiously sat in their own half and mounted a few chances and one resulted in the opener.
Bandari had to make a 39th-minute change when Hassan was withdrawn and Darius Msagha was given playtime with a few minutes to the half-time break remaining.
Bandari fought and in the 79th minute, Bernard Odhiambo equalised for them to punish KCB who were dominant in the second half but failed to produce goals with the chances created.
But the Bankers rallied back in the additional minutes and grabbed a late win in the fifth minute of the added time courtesy of a goal from Owino.
Bandari registered six corners compared to KCB’s five and the attempts on goal stats tied at three while attempts off target were five on each side.
Whereas the Dockers committed 14 fouls compared to their rivals’ 17, none of their players were yellow-carded while one Banker entered into the referee’s book.
KCB were caught offside four times while the coastal side was flagged off on one occasion.
KCB, now on top with 12 points, are the only side yet to drop points after AFC Leopards succumbed to a late onslaught from Western Stima in Nairobi. Leopards are second with nine points.