Bandari claim first win of the season under interim coach Baraza
By Kenneth Mwenda, October 4, 2025Bandari Football Club finally secured their first win of the 2025/26 SportPesa League season after defeating Murang’a SEAL 3-1 at Mbaraki Sports Club on Saturday, October 4, 2025.
The result came just days after John Baraza was appointed interim head coach, following the exit of Ken Odhiambo earlier in the week.
Murang’a SEAL started the match brightly and took an early lead in the fifth minute through Joe Waitheri. The visitors looked confident after beating APS Bomet in their last fixture, and they hoped to continue their good run in Mombasa.
However, Bandari responded quickly. In the 15th minute, Geoffrey Ojunga equalised to bring the hosts back into the game.
The Dockers continued to control possession, pushing SEAL deep into their half.
Their efforts paid off when Amza Mubarak headed home just after the half-hour mark, sending the Coastal side into the break with a 2-1 advantage.
SEAL were forced into two first-half substitutions, but the changes made little difference as Bandari remained in charge.
The hosts kept pressing in the second half, while Baraza used his bench effectively.
He introduced Mohamed Barisa and Naaman Balecho to add fresh energy to the attack, later bringing on Izzadin Ramadhan and Said Tsuma for further reinforcement.
The pressure eventually paid off in the 77th minute.
Joseph Otieno struck Bandari’s third goal, sealing the victory and lifting his team to fifth place in the standings with four points.
Baraza steps in at helm
The win was a welcome relief for the Mombasa-based club, who had drawn with Kariobangi Sharks in their opener before losing at home to Shabana.
For Baraza, it was the perfect start to his tenure. The former Harambee Stars striker stepped up as interim coach after Odhiambo’s departure on Tuesday, September 30, with the club looking to stabilise its technical bench.
Odhiambo, who had been in charge since July 2024, left after a disappointing start to the new season.
His side managed just one point from two matches, and pressure mounted after a narrow 1-0 home defeat to Shabana.
Injuries to key players, including Harambee Stars regulars Dennis Ng’ang’a, Benjamin “Beja” Nyamawi and Swaleh Pamba, also complicated his campaign.
In a statement, Bandari’s CEO Tony Kibwana thanked Odhiambo for his service and wished him success in his next role.
Despite finishing eighth last season with 44 points, Odhiambo was unable to meet expectations at the start of this campaign.
Baraza, who has previously handled the team in an interim role, now faces the task of steadying the squad. He will work with a reshaped group after the departure of several key players, including Siraj Mohammed, Fidel Origa and goalkeeper Bryne Odhiambo, who joined Gor Mahia.