Ulinzi Stars beat Mathare

By Robin Toskin

Ulinzi Stars got their revenge over Mathare United, beating them 1-0 at City Stadium - a result that may have had the military men purring in anticipation of a first Kenyan Premier League title since 2005.

Chester Okoyo’s firm strike squirmed under the body of goalkeeper Martin Musalia on 67 minutes, to help Ulinzi open a six-point lead over second-placed Gor Mahia.

The victory was, however, flattering, as Ulinzi stars struggled to prise open the ten-man Mathare United who had defender Lloyd Wahome sent off for two bookable offences.

Mathare United defender Haevanar Maloba (centre) is sandwiched by Ulinzi players Hussein Mohammed and Stephen Ocholla at City Stadium, on Sunday. Photo: Stafford Ondego/Standard

Although Ulinzi Stars coach Benjamin Nyangweso insisted he would not cut a baby dress before a kid is born, the former Harambee Stars striker could in fact beware his side has initiated the race for second place.

"There are six more matches and you never know. However, we have put ourselves in a strong position. In football though nothing is guaranteed until every match is decided," Nyangweso told FeverPitch.

Mathare United looked to have neutralised the military men’s threat of a court-marshal-like trial, but were undone by a blunt forward-line devoid of natural strikers.

With Kevin Opiyo starting as a lone striker and Kevin Kimani, Simon Mburu and Joseph Nyagah expected to feed him, the strategy failed to unsettle Ulinzi defence manned by Kokoyo, Josiah Odhiambo, Hussein Mohammed and Richard Chege.

And the sending off of Wahome on the stroke of half time did not help matters for the side under the guidance of Salim Ali, who was tasked with the responsibility following the suspension of coach Francis Kimanzi.

What started as a flicker of hope for Mathare United when Geoffrey Kokoyo was forced into a hurried clearance with a header that could easily have been an own goal in the 4th minute quickly turned subdued attacking effort.

Nyagah produced a semblance of genuine attacking threat, though, on the half hour with three successive volleys, the first one dealt with by Francis Ochieng and the other two going wide off the mark.

Dennis Nzomo was relieved to see Musalia scramble across goal to keep out his headed back pass on to the post on 39 minutes.

That may have been a first knock at the door as Ulinzi went back to ask more questions when Musalia turned Okoyo’s effort at the near post against the upright.

It got even more difficult on the 45th minute mark, when Wahome clattered a Ulinzi player to the ground and referee Sylvester Kirwa flushed a second yellow card and off he went for an early shower. Ulinzi picked up where they left in the first half with Kevin Simiyu unleashing a pile-driver, which Musalia did well to smother on 58 minutes.

Nyangweso introduced Brian Kaka for Vincent Onyango, a move that did the trick as Mathare backline struggled to cope with his pace.

It was no surprise though as Mathare finally broke down as Okoyo latched onto a long ball to beat Musalia.