Ulinzi Stars host Chemelil Sugar at Afraha Stadium Wednesday

By BEN AHENDA

Nairobi,Kenya:Ulinzi Stars coach Salim Ali has admitted his striking force is wanting, but confirmed it has been rectified ahead of their Tusker Premier League match against Chemelil Sugar at Afraha Stadium this afternoon.

Ali said he has a Herculean task against the millers, but they must deliver to be at par with the league leaders Gor Mahia and the rest of the teams chasing the title.

However, he said he is not under pressure, having come from the World Military Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, where they were eliminated at the preliminaries after playing three matches.

A military team from Iraq defeated an Omanian side 3-2 to win the title.

Ulinzi drew 2-2 with a French team and lost two matches 3-1 and 2-0 to Algerian and Bahrainian teams.

“We are going to use exposure we got from this international tournament in the league. But we are taking every match at a time. There is absolutely no pressure,” he told FeverPitch at a training session at Afraha Stadium yesterday.

Ali commended their performance at the global competition despite their elimination and was full of praise on captain Evans Amuoka, who scored the two goals against France and striker Steve Waruru, who scored a consolation goal against Algeria.

Ulinzi’s performance has raised questions on their inability to score goals, but their defence has remained superb in the league matches.

So far, Ulinzi Stars and Gor Mahia are the only teams in the league that have the least number of goals scored against them.

Ulinzi Stars are placed 10th in the 16-team table standings with 21 points, having played 15 matches. They have scored seven goals snd conceded seven. Leaders Gor having scored 16 goals and conceded seven. They are perched at the top of the table with 32 points from 16 matches.

All players are in good shape, save for midfielder Stephen Ocholla and strikers Chester Okoyo and Wycliffe Ochomo, who are nursing knocks, said Ali.

“They will only be out for a week and thereafter join us in the rest of the matches,” said the coach.

Captain Evans Amuoka promised that their strikers would deliver in the forthcoming matches.

“We are ready to deliver this afternoon and against Nairobi City Stars on Saturday,” said Amuoka.