Soldiers fish out Sharks in semis as Tusker open account at KCB to book date in GOtv final

ULINZI STARS VS KARIOBANGI SHARKS Ulinzi stars players celebrate their third goal against Kariobangi sharks during the GOTV shiled match at Afraha Stadium on October 1,2016.Ulinzi won 4-1.PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH

Ulinzi Stars hammered Kariobangi Sharks 4-1 yesterday at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru to qualify for the GOtv Shield Cup finals.

Ulinzi will now meet Kenyan Premier league leaders Tusker in the finals to be played at Kenyatta Stadium Stadium in Machakos on October 20.

Tusker booked the slot after beating Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) 1-0 in an earlaier match played at the same venue.

Ulinzi shocked the National Super League side with a fifth minute goal from Oscar Wamalwa who beat Kariobangi Sharks custodian Malcolm Oigo with a hard drive as defenders Newton Mugo, Pascal Ogweno, Steven Odhiambo and Elli Asieche watched helplessly.

Sharks, however, contained the fast start by Ulinzi as they went to the break trailing 1-0.

However, in the second half, the speed of the soldiers overwhelmed Kariobangi Sharks and it didn’t come as a surprise when John Makwata increased the goal tally in the 58th minute with a superb strike.

Even the substitution of Vincent Wasambo and Asieche for Boniface Akenga and John Macharia could not bring Sharks back into the game.

Makwata was on the mark again with a powerful volley against the overworked custodian Oigo as he watched the ball stroll into the empty net for a third goal in the 60th minute.

Makwata completed his hat-trick in the 78th minute after a goalmouth melee.

The consolation goal for the losers came two minutes to the final whistle from a free kick taken by defender Steven Odhiambo who beat Ulinzi custodian James Saruni.

In an early kick- off, Tusker knocked out a stubborn KCB 1-0.

After a barren first half, the all important goal came in the 48th minute after KCB’s defender Dennis Ng’ang’a’s miskick which came off the post found Noah Wafula in the right position to head home past Juma Mpongo.

That goal increased the match tempo as the league leaders outplayed their opponents but could not find a second goal.

Wafula should have added another goal in the 59th minute when his cross hit the crossbar and bounced back into play.

The wins means Tusker keep alive their chances of winning a double.