SHOOTING BLANKS: Ulinzi settle for another draw in tie against Sony

Ulinzi stars Goalkeeper James Saruni shooting the ball away from his goal post during their Sportpesa Premier league match against Tusker FC at Afraha stadium Nakuru.PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH

Sony Sugar and Ulinzi Stars fought to a barren draw in yesterday’s Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match at Awendo Stadium.

It was the second successive draw for the soldiers, who are trying to catch up with the rest, after being away for two weeks for the military games in Rwanda.

Yesterday’s match saw both teams miss countless chances. Sony were first of the block, earning a 17th minute free kick after Justin Monda was fouled inside his box.

Victor Ademma’s effort went wide even as the soldiers landed their first corner in the 20th minute.

Sony went close again in the 27th minute, but Juma Masoud’s shot went wide. Eight minutes later, Boniface Muchiri failed to tap home when left with goalkeeper James Saruni.

Meanwhile, despite a short coaching career, AFC Leopards head coach Ezekiel Akwana has built a reputation as a fixer of sorts.

In 2011, he took over at Sofapaka on an interim basis after coach Sam Ssimbwa was fired. Akwana led the team to win the President’s Cup (now GOtv shield).

But his biggest success was when he led the club to eliminate Egypt's Ismailia from the Confederations Cup and entered history books as the first local coach to do that.

Five years down the line, Akwana has been given yet another chance at AFC Leopards after he was confirmed as head coach following the sacking of Ivan Minnaert last week.

Akwana, who is serving a second stint in a similar position, says he wants to do more this time and is awed by the trust placed on him.

“This is a big responsibility for me and I am grateful that the management have found it prudent to trust me. I promise not to disappoint and my immediate goal is to take this team to a higher level than I found it," he said.

“The last time I was in charge, was only for one match, and there was no time to do much. It is different this time because we have seven matches to the end of the season and with it, we can do much better.”

The coach has also revealed his love for a club he once played for and points out that coaching the team is something he has always dreamt of.

“One thing that always moves me is the love I have for this club since I was young,” he added.