Bandari FC needed a first-half strike on Saturday to down wasteful Nakumatt in the first day of the 2017 Kenyan Premier League.
The Dockers had played the league newbies twice in the last two years in the GOtv Shield with the former putting a total of six goals past them, conceding a single goal in the process.
It was the visitors who started on a high note, trying to get their hosts off guard through incisive passing, but they failed to go past a well-organized defense. Goalkeeper Sammy Okinda was called into action after 17 minutes, denying the dangerous Anthony Wambani.
Nzoia Sugar thrash Tusker in league opener
However the shot stopper had no answer in the 42nd minute when Michael Luvutsi fed new signing Enock Agwanda who did well by putting the ball past on-rushing Okinda.
Next Match
The score-line could have been different if only Darius Msagha and Dan Sserunkuma could have converted the created chances, but it is Nakumatt who needs to go back and restructure as they start life in the top tier, especially after losing good chances through Kepha Aswani and John Njoroge.
Earlier in the day, defending champions Tusker suffered a humiliating 5-2 defeat against Nzoia Sugar.
