Kenya Premier League side Bandari FC are through to the CAF Confederations Cup group stages after a 3-2 aggregate score over Tunisia’s Ben Guerdane. Having won the first leg 2-0 at the Moi Sports Center Kasarani, Bandari labored to a 2-1 loss in the second leg.
Bernard Mwalala’s side went behind as early as in the fourth minute when lively winger Dos Santos dribbled past the entire defense but Micheal Wanyika saved his shot. The defense was not alert to the situation and the rebound was slotted home for the opener.
The home side scored a second in the 21st minute after Dos Santos again crossed from the right and the header was placed well past Wanyika to even the scores on aggregate. Bandari held on to go into the break trailing 2-0.
The second half was full of drama as desperate defending saw Wanyika trip Dos Santos and a penalty was awarded. Micheal Wanyika redeemed himself twice and in stunning fashion. First, the goalkeeper dived the right way and saved the spot-kick and then the rebound seconds later.
The goalkeeper who was by far the man of the match was involved in Bandari’s goal late on. Having saved a goal-bound shot, he started the counter-attack that ended with Cliff Kasuti squaring the ball for William Wadri who put the ball into the back of the net for the precious away goal.
The result means that Bandari will play in the CAF Confederations Cup for the first time in their history and Kenya will have two teams in the competition following Gor Mahia’s exit from the CAF Champions League. Exciting times ahead for Kenyan football!