- Kariobangi Sharks FC head coach William Muluya was one of three red cards displayed as Bandari edged the Sharks
- John Mark Makwata scored the opening goal of the game against his former employers in the starting minutes of the game
FKF Premier league side Bandari FC came back to winning ways todays after defeating Kariobangi sharks in an entertaining encounter at Dandora Stadium in Nairobi.
The lunch hour kick off match, played under the sweltering heat, had its most controversial moment in the closing stages of the first half when center referee John Sulwe reached into his left pocket twice and drew the red card.
The first victim was Sharks centre defender Timothy Ekhavi, who got himself into trouble after receiving a second caution.
Ekhavi’s name was called for the first time in the 29th minute due to his disagreement following a yellow card issued to his teammate Biron Otieno, which sent him to the showers early.
Sulwe’s decision to send Ekhavi off did not sit well with Sharks players, who swarmed him in anger after the halftime whistle sounded.
Sharks head coach William Muluya ran towards Sulwe, along with keeper’s’ trainer Sammy Okinda, in an unusual display of emotion.
However, Sulwe did not take their charge, temper, or dissent lightly, as he showed Muluya the red card while Okinda escaped.
Quick-thinking Sharks players, led by skipper Kevin Otiala, restrained the infuriated Muluya from possibly charging further closer to the referee, with Okinda still arguing his case.
Sharks kit manager Paul Otieno, along with the club’s head of security, wheeled into the action area on the pitch to crawfish Okinda away from the officials.
Bandari striker Beja Nyamawi also saw red late in the second half after foolishly receiving his second caution of the day.
After being booked in the 12th minute, Nyamawi lost his wits and booted the ball in an attempt to prevent Sharks from making a rapid restart, causing Sulwe to take action.
Before the mayhem in the last stages of the first half, the two teams were even at 1-1, with Bandari breaking the deadlock in the fourth minute.
Faced with his previous employers, experienced striker John Mark Makwata demonstrated his marksmanship in less than five minutes, giving Bandari the lead and opening his goal account with the club.
The Sharks responded five minutes later, with winger Stephen Bwire scoring his second league goal of the season.
With the numerical advantage, Bandari dominated the second half, with Alfred Tanui scoring the winning goal in the 73rd minute.
The outcome surely takes a lot of weight off Bandari head coach Kennedy Odhiambo, whose job was on a danger mark the before heading into the game.
