Abdalla Hassan celebrating his goal that handed Bandari the opener in the CAF Confederation Cup first round that ended 2-0 at Kaarani Stadium on 14th, September 2019. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 14 – Two late headed goals by Yema Mwamba and Abdallah Hassan saw Bandari eclipse Tunisia’s US Ben Guerdane 2-0 in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup first round tie at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday.
The result puts the dockers on the edge of a second round ticket and they will only need to pick any kind of a draw in the return leg in two weeks time in Tunis to progress.
Bandari FC forward Yema Mwamba celebrates his goal against US Ben Guerdane during the first leg of the CAF Confederations Cup first round at the Kasarani Stadium on September 14 2019. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
Both Mwana and Hassan were doubtful for the tie having just recovered from injury but head coach Bernard Mwalala threw both of them into the deep end and they did not disappoint with Hassan scoring and assisting Mwamba’s goal.
The game blew to life in the final 17 minutes after being off color for most of the opening 73. Mwamba broke the deadlock when he rose highest to thump home a header off Hassan’s well curled in corner from the right.
US Ben Guedane’s player Sabri Ammeri in action against Bandari’s Collins Agade in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup played at Kasarani Stadium on 14th September, 2019. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
Five minutes later, the dockers were 2-0 up when Hassan comfortably panted a header into the bottom right of Ghaith Yeferni’s goal after being picked out by a beautiful William Wadri freekick from the right.
It was a game of few chances and in the opening half , Cliff Kasuti had a glorious opportunity when off a quick counter, he was picked out by a Wadri pass alone on the right but blasted the effort wide.
Bandari FC fan celebrating for his team that won 2-0 in the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup hosted at the Kasarani Stadium on 14th, September 2019. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
Ben Guerdane’s opening chance of the game was in the eighth minute when after some good build up, Khalid Yahia shot straight to keeper Mike Wanyika.
Bandari will now head to Tunis with a two goal advantage and will be looking not to concede but to take advantage of scoring an away goal to seal the win on aggregate.
