Bandari FC beat Kenya Police FC 2-0 in an arranged friendly on Sunday after their much-anticipated FKF Premier League opener against AFC Leopards was postponed for the second time.
Bandari had travelled to Nairobi for the scheduled fixture at Nyayo National Stadium, which was to mark the start of the 2026/27 campaign for both sides.
With the league opener postponed, Bandari arranged a friendly against Police FC at the Police Sacco Stadium.
Police had also been left without a competitive fixture after their scheduled trip to Migori to face Migori Youth was called off.
Bandari took the lead through Alex Kipruto in the eighth minute before Lawrence Okoth doubled the advantage five minutes later.
Speaking after the match, Bandari Head Coach Charles Okere said his players followed instructions and were clinical in front of goal.
He said the performance provided useful preparation for the league, whenever the season eventually begins.
Police coach Nicholas Muyoti attributed his side’s defeat to a slow start, saying his players had trained well but were sluggish during the match.
The friendly came as the 2026/27 FKF Premier League remained suspended following a series of legal challenges over the composition of the league and promotion and relegation rules.
FKF had scheduled the new season to begin on September 19 after earlier postponements. However, a High Court order in Murang’a directed that the league should not begin before a promotion-relegation play-off between Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United.
A separate order from the High Court in Kiambu directed FKF to publish provisional revised fixtures including Mombasa United as the 18th team, further complicating the federation's plans. The matter is scheduled for an inter partes hearing on September 29.
The dispute centres on the rules governing promotion and relegation. Mombasa United finished third in the National Super League last season, while Kariobangi Sharks were relegated from the top flight.
The two clubs are now at the centre of a legal dispute over whether a play-off should determine their respective positions.
The latest postponement has left clubs without a new confirmed date for the start of the campaign. FKF said it would review the situation and determine the way forward as the legal proceedings continue.
For Bandari and AFC Leopards, that means their opening fixture remains unscheduled, with both sides having to wait for clarity on when, and under what competition structure, the new season will begin.
