Leopards cornered as Ulinzi sink Sugar men to advance in GOtv Shielp Cup competition

Brian Birgen of Ulinzi Stars battles for the ball with Morris Obuno of Chemelil Sugar at Afraha stadium in Nakuru on August 27,2016 during GOTV shield match.Ulinzi won 3-1.PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH

Western Stima walloped AFC Leopards 3-0 in the Round 16 of the GOtv Shield Cup that was staged at the Kisumu Stadium yesterday.

Yussuf Juma, who was a thorn in Western Stima yard could have scored with just three minutes gone but headed off a Ssisoko Mussa corner ball.

Juma again wasted a golden chance in the 19th minute when he fired a good chance over the crossbar

Wesley Kemboi who had squandered an open opportunity in the 17th minute after failing to tap in a Kennedy Otieno pass, made amends seconds later by tapping in a cross.

Otieno who had set up Kemboi again capitalised on a defense lapse to add the second goal. At half time, dejected fans chanted “Mzungu must go” even as Ivan Minnaert gave his boys a pep talk.

At Afraha stadium, Ulinzi striker Enosh Ochieng was the toast of the moment when he scored a hat-trick to ensure his side silenced Chemelil Sugar with a 3 -1 scoreline and qualify for the quarterfinals of GOtv Shield match.

Ochieng picked a loose ball at the edge of the box and raced past a Chemelil defender to draw the first blood in the 16th minute.

Ochieng was on the mark again 16 minutes later when he tapped home the second goal from a goalmouth melee to give his side a 2-0 lead at half time.

In the second half, Ulinzi enjoyed themselves and in the 68th minute, their striker Ochieng headed home a beautiful cross from defender Cylus Shitote for a third goal.

The sugar millers’ consolation goal came a few seconds to the final whistle through Jefari Owiti who pulled a feeble shot past Ulinzi goalkeeper James Saruni.

Chemelil Sugar coach Francis Baraza was not a disturbed man with that loss. “I had to give my second team a chance to play. When will these young players get playing time if they cannot be fielded in such matches?,” Baraza posed.

Ulinzi Deputy Coach Benjamin Nyangweso who stood in for Robert Matano said his charges had recovered from fatigue that came with their participation at the East African Military Games in Rwanda.

“My boys have recovered from the fatigue of Regional Military Games. However, we hope for more results in our future matches,” he said.

Ulinzi Stars face Sony Sugar on September 7 in a league match at Awendo Green Stadium.

Elsewhere, Gor Mahia take on Nzoia United at Mumias Complex today. The match will kick off at 2pm.