How Gor Mahia snatched Lewis Bandi from AFC Leopards

gaAFC Leopards chairman Boniface Ambani has opened up on how former vice-captain Lewis Bandi completed his controversial move to arch-rivals Gor Mahia, revealing that the transfer caught him completely by surprise.

Bandi swapped Ingwe for K’Ogalo in August 2025 in a move that intensified the rivalry between Kenya’s two most successful clubs. The versatile defender sealed the transfer after meeting Gor Mahia patron Eliud Owalo while away with the Harambee Stars squad at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Nearly a year after the switch, Ambani has disclosed that he had been in talks with the player and expected to meet him before learning that the move had already been finalized.

“He is my boy. He is a player I raised and nurtured, but he decided to leave. Actually, he sneaked,” Ambani told Buzz Sports.

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“He was with the national team and we had talked on about three occasions and agreed to meet when they got an off day because I could not just walk into the national team camp.

“The next time I saw him, he was with his parents taking photos in someone's office (Eliud Owalo). Was I supposed to hold a gun and bring him back? No,” he added.

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Despite his disappointment at losing one of the club’s key players, Ambani expressed satisfaction with how AFC Leopards responded to Bandi’s departure.

According to the former Young Africans striker, the defender’s exit created an opportunity for Brian Ojok, who grabbed his chance and established himself in the team despite arriving from the lower divisions.

“When someone leaves, it opens the door for others. We got Brian Ojok from Division One, who had never played in the FKF Premier League or National Super League and did exceptionally well. He was even named the Most Disciplined Player,” Ambani said.

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Since joining Gor Mahia, Bandi has struggled for consistent playing time, with coach Charles Akonnor often preferring Paul Ochuoga in the right-back position.

However, the move still delivered a major milestone in the defender’s career as he helped Gor Mahia reclaim the FKF Premier League title from Kenya Police FC, securing a record-extending 22nd league crown.

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