KPL: Muhati, Hassan goals fire soldiers past Chemelil to go fourth on the Premier League standings

John Makwata of Ulinzi Stars (white top) is tackled by James Omino of Chemelil Sugar during their KPL match at Chemelil Sports Complex yesterday. [PHOTO: BOSCO MAGARE/ STANDARD]

Nairobi; Kenya:  Chemelil Sugar squandered one goal lead to lose 2-1 to resurgent Ulinzi Stars in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match played at Chemelil Sports Complex yesterday.

The entertaining match saw the ever-improving military side embark on the encounter on a high note, especially in second half as millers were undoubtedly the better side in the opening half, threatening their visitors at will.

Soldiers are now fourth on the standings with 41 points, similar to Chemelil Sugar, but the former have a mean goal difference and seven behind leaders Gor Mahia with four matches to go.

HAWK-EYED

Ulinzi’s striking duo of Stephen Ocholla and Evans Amwoka, launched dangerous forays into the millers’ defence revolving around James Omino ‘Taller’ and Willice Ouma, as host custodian Jairus Adira remained hawk-eyed.

Hosts quickly reorganised their forward match formation and initiated a fierce counter-attack through overlapping defender Willice Ouma, who neatly placed the ball for team-mate Meshack Karani, whose goal-bound shot in the 12th minute was nabbed by Ulinzi custodian James Saruni.

Un-fazed millers strikers Hassan Mwinyi, Daniel Murage and Georson Likonoh piled pressure on Ulinzi back-line.

Likonoh was a constant threat in Ulinzi’s defence combining well with overlapping defender Ouma who in the 14th minute, unleashed a screaming into the far corner of the net to put the millers ahead as scores of enthusiastic home fans who jammed the stadium broke out in ecstatic celebration.

The rest of the first half witnessed a closely-contested match with both sides making futile efforts to penetrate each other’s defence line as their attempts on goal lacked accuracy.

LOW RANGE

After the breather, Robert Matano, Ulinzi coach, made a double change resting Eric Apul and Justine Onwonga for Boniface Onyango and Job Muhati.

This changed the match tempo drastically where Muhati rattled and tormented the hitherto rock solid Chemelil Sugar defence.

In the 64th minute, Ulinzi made a counter-attack and Muhati beat right back Charles Odero to restore parity with a right side low range past Chemelil’s custodian Adira.

Hosts were forced to play ten with the injury of Likonoh with Mike Mururi, millers’ coach, having exhausted his substitutes following replacement of Meshack Karani with Vallen Mahero.

The foul-laden second-half of the nail-biting match saw host defender Ouma, foul Ulinzi’s Muhati with Stephen Waruru, taking the resultant kick, which found well positioned team-mate Hassan Mohammed.

Hassan headed the winning goal past Chemelil Sugar custodian Adira, in the 83rd minute to the chagrin of home fans who left the pitch crest-fallen.

KPL continues over the weekend with four matches on cards.