Baptism of fire: All Stars fried by Sony, Ulinzi held by Chemelil as Muhoroni fall hard

BY FEVERPITCH TEAM

Stephen Ochola (front) of Ulinzi shields the ball from Chemelil’s David Nyanzi during a KPL match at the Afraha Stadium, Nakuru, yesterday. The match ended 0-0. [PHOTO: BONIFACE THUKU / STANDARD]

Sony Sugar FC kicked the new Tusker Premier League season on a winning note, thumping newcomers Top Fry FC 3-0 in an entertaining game at Awendo Green stadium.

The hosts completely dominated the first half and deservedly went ahead in the 21st minute when Edwin Oduor deflected in Victor Omondi’s free kick to give the hosts the half time lead.

The second half was more balanced but the hosts made it safe in the 63rd minute after a quick counterattacking move saw John Bosco pass to Oduor who calmly beat Top Fry’s goalkeeper Evance Omondi.

The hosts were soon 3-0 when Omondi fell veteran striker Evance Chamberi in the box in the 75th minute and Chamberi sent Omondi the wrong way from the penalty spot to secure the points.

In Muhoroni, hosts Muhoroni Youth FC were taught football lessons by Charity Cup winners Sopafaka as the latter whipped the Sugar-belt side 5-1.

The goals were slotted in by Enock Agwanda who had a brace while John Baraza, Anthony Ndolo and Anthony KImani scored a goal each.

In Mumias, Western Stima began their Kenyan Premier League campaign on a winning note garnering three points in a 1-0 win over visiting Mathare United at the Mumias Complex stadium yesterday.

Collins Netto, a new signing from Division One club, West Kenya, looped the ball over the Mathare United’s helpless last man to provide the solitary goal in the 90th minute.

Mathare United lost their chance to score in the 78th minute when their repeated assault on the Stima goal were frustrated by Stima keeper.

Francis Baraza, the Western Stima coach told FeverPitch after the game said: “the boys did a tremendous job today owing that Mathare were playing a really difficult game.”

The coach also lauded the efforts of the new players who have joined Stima this season.

“I am impressed with the new players for the performance they have displayed out there today. The league has just begun and we are still building the team into a formidable force and also to fill the spots left by the players who joined other clubs,” Baraza said.

Western Stima finished 12th in last season’s final standings.

In Nakuru, Chemelil Sugar forced Ulinzi Stars to a barren in a dull match at the Afraha Stadium.

Captain Steve Ocholla headed home the opening goal in the 53rd minute from a throw in by Mulinge Ndetto to put Ulinzi shot into the lead after a barren draw at half time.

Chemeil who looked technically superior than their opponents made several raids at will on their opponents’ territory in the entire second half that left defenders Francis Shitote, Oliver Ruto and Hassan Mohammed confused.

Therefore it did not come as a surprise when diminutive Steve Wakanya beat Ulinzi custodian Francis Ochieng’ to equalise for the visitors from a corner kick in the 75th minute.

Sensing danger, Ulinzi coach benched  strikers Oliver Agwanda and newcomer Ali Mawazo for Steve Waruru and Evans Amuoka

— Reports by Nick Oluoch, Phillip Orwa, Brian Moseti and Ben Ahenda