Ulinzi, Muhoroni win as Ushuru drop points

KRA Roosevelt(l)with the ball as Thika United Shami Kibwana(c) and Denis Odhiambo block when they played KPL match at Nyayo Stadium yestrday. They drew 1-1. ON 20/02/16 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE,

Ulinzi Stars coach Robert Matano registered his first win of the season after edging out former club Tusker 2-0 in yesterday’s SportPesa Premier League match at Machakos Municipal Stadium.

In Nairobi, Kennedy Otieno scored in stoppage time to give Thika United a much-needed point after holding Ushuru to a 1-1 draw at the Nyayo Stadium.

Dennis Wafula put the hosts in the driving seat with a brilliant shot on the half hour mark.

Wafula shrugged off his marker before unleashing a powerful shot that flew past a hapless Thika goalkeeper Hamza Muwonge.

Five minutes later, Wafula, who was a constant threat to the milkmen’s back line, had a chance to double the lead but his loop over Muwonge was cleared off then line.

Thika responded immediately but Musa Saad’s effort was well dealt goalkeeper Shaban Odhoji.

Just before the break, Kennedy Oduor forced a fine save from Muwonge for a fruitless corner.

In the 50th minute, captain Dennis Odhiambo made a fantastic clearance, intercepting Aziz Okaka’s dangerous cross to deny the hosts a second goal.

With less than 20 minutes remaining, Thika started pilling pressure with Eugene Mukangula’s attempt missing target by inches before Otieno’s effort also went over the bar. But Otieno made amends in the dying minutes grabbing an equaliser for the visitors.

In Machakos, James Makwata and Joseph Kuria scored a goal each in the second half as Ulinzi Stars bounced back to winning ways after the season opener barren draw against Sony Sugar at home.

The soldiers, however, had to wait until the 70th minute for Makwata who was Ulinzi’s top scorer last year, to open his 2016 account with a brilliant free kick.

Ten minutes later, Joseph Kuria ensured Ulinzi carried all three points with a cool finish.

At Muhoroni Stadium, Muhoroni Youth recovered from their humiliating 2-0 defeat away to Posta Rangers in their season opener to pip Sofapaka 1-0, writes Bosco Magare.

The match witnessed a fairly balanced first-half until mid-way through when hosts rattled Sofapaka’s goalmouth.

In the 27th minute, Muhoroni Youth’s Wycliffe Ochomo slammed in the all-important goal past custodian Everest Mutiyimana after latching on a cross within Sofapaka’s backyard from teammate Sammy Ndungu.

Muhoroni Youth tactician James Otieno lauded his boys for registering a victory against Sofapaka.

Elsewhere, Chemelil Sugar play Mathare today at Nyayo Stadium hoping to build on their 0-0 draw with Gor.