The prodigal son has returned to the coast, but his homecoming party was crashed by the ghosts of his recent past. Bernard Mwalala, back at the helm of Bandari FC, watched in frustration as his former employers, Shabana FC, inflicted a painful 1-0 defeat at the Gusii Stadium, proving that in football, loyalty is fleeting but scorelines are forever.

Mwalala’s return to Bandari is a gamble for both the coach and the club. having left Shabana mid-season in a move that angered the "Glamour Boys" faithful, he walked into a cauldron of noise and hostility in Kisii. The loss was a sting, but Mwalala remains defiant. His mission is clear: resurrect the Dockers from mid-table obscurity and challenge the hegemony of Gor Mahia and Tusker. "Top five first, then top two," he told reporters, outlining a roadmap that relies on tactical discipline and the financial muscle of the Kenya Ports Authority.

A Tactical War of Attrition

The match itself was a gritty affair, decided by a solitary goal that exposed the defensive frailties Mwalala has been hired to fix. Bandari looked disjointed, a team still adjusting to the demands of a new (yet familiar) general. Shabana, fueled by a sense of betrayal, played with a manic intensity that the visitors could not match. Mwalala’s sideline demeanor—stoic, brooding—betrayed the pressure he is under. He knows that the honeymoon period at the coast will be short.

Bandari’s management has backed him to the hilt, believing he has the "unfinished business" motivation to deliver silverware. The squad is talented but inconsistent, capable of beating the best one week and imploding the next. Mwalala’s immediate task is psychological: instilling a winning mentality in a group that has grown comfortable with mediocrity.

• The Shabana Factor: For Shabana FC, the win was more than three points; it was catharsis. They have proven they can thrive without Mwalala, a message sent loud and clear to the rest of the league.
• The Dockers’ Revival: Despite the loss, analysts see green shoots. Mwalala’s defensive structures are beginning to take shape, and his knowledge of the squad remains his biggest asset.

The Road to Redemption

The league is unforgiving, and Bandari’s fixture list does not get any easier. Mwalala must now rally his troops for a run of games that will define their season. The defeat in Kisii was a reality check, a reminder that reputation alone wins nothing.

As the team bus wound its way out of the Gusii hills, Mwalala surely reflected on the magnitude of the task ahead. He promised revival, and revival is messy. The Dockers are still afloat, but the captain needs to steer them into calmer waters before the fans start calling for mutiny. The revival is on, but the clock is ticking.