The rise and rise of Lewis Bandi

Versatile AFC Leopards player Lewis Bandi was thrown in the deep end when the club's assistant skipper and left-back Isaac Kipyegon pulled his hamstring in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) match against KCB played at the Kasarani Annex in January.

The bankers were waltzing in form, having won their first six matches, and were looking to register their seventh straight win as well as condemn Ingwe to their third successive loss.

Their mission was right on course after taking the lead through Samuel Mwangi and further, watched Leopards make the unwanted substitution early into the game.

Kipyegon's injury temporarily left the technical bench scratching their heads as the second-choice left-back Washington Munene was unavailable due to illness.

Coach Anthony Kimani was expected to substitute in an experienced defender, instead, he gambled by throwing in Bandi for Kipyegon to contain the KCB flankers who had given the latter a torrid time. 

The national U20, Rising Stars player was deemed to be unlucky to face seasoned winger Simon Abuko and the pacy Reagan Otieno in his first league assignment but he punched above his weight, silencing them and subsequently helping Leopards to recover from a goal to eventually humble KCB 2-1.

Bandi's solid debut handed the technical bench a selection headache and he has ever since cemented his place albeit on the opposite defensive flank following the arrival of coach Patrick Aussems.

Before the arrival of the Belgium tactician, Leopards relied on former Rising Stars skipper Yusuf Mainge and the experienced Collins Shivachi to man the right-back but Aussems flipped the script in favour of Bandi.

He was named the man of the match in the first leg of the Mashemeji Derby and earned similar plaudits in their last weekend after their away match to Vihiga United as well as provided an assist when Leopards broke a sweat to see off Nairobi City Stars 1-0.

The Eastleigh Boys High School alumni says the encouragement from his family, teammates, and the technical bench played a crucial role in shedding off the stage fright and developing the courage to rub shoulders with the big boys.

"I am forever indebted to coach Kimani for giving me the opportunity at the big stage. When Kipyegon's muscles went twang, he had faith in me and I knew my time had come to prove something to him as well as repay his confidence in me. My teammates both on the pitch and on the technical bench backed me and consequently, I developed confidence and I have never looked back," he said.

Bandi who began his career in Makadara joined the Leopards Youth team in 2015 although as a creative midfielder. He however transformed into a defender who can slot in either of the defensive flanks. He was elevated to the senior team in October last year.

He credits Harambee Stars defender Samuel Olwande for holding his hand while he was a kid and his acts of generosity in helping promising footballers in Makadara.

"Olwande is my role model. He has been training kids in our estate for a long time and I always look up to him. I like the way he can fit anywhere in the defence. I joined the Leopards Youth team as a number eight but I transitioned into the defense. I am a right-footed player but I can comfortably play as a left-back,"he disclosed.

Bandi who was part of the Chapa Dimba All-Stars team that travelled for a ten-day camp in Spain in May 2019 believes he has two seasons remaining in the local league before going abroad.

"I am yet to get offers but I believe in two years time I will start my professional career preferably in Europe," he added.