Gun rang only once as Ulinzi Stars shoot down ‘Batoto Ba Mungu’ Sofapaka
Football
By
Ben Ahenda
| Sep 08, 2015
Ulinzi Stars shot down stubborn Sofapaka by a solitary goal to surge ahead in the chase for the Kenya Premier League title in a tough and entertaining match at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.
Kevin Amwayi scored the all-important goal in the 22nd minute from a move initiated by striker John Nairuka, which he easily tapped home past goalkeeper David Okello.
Thereafter, Ulinzi made sporadic raids at the Sofapaka goalmouth without success, thanks to steadiness of experienced Sofapaka defender Felly Mulumba, who with overlapping defender Collins Shivachi and left full back Evans Maliachi foiled repeated attempts by Amwayi, Nairuka and John Makwata.
Ulinzi head coach Robert Matano praised his boys, but admitted Sofapaka was difficult to break down.
“Winning is our main objective in every match and getting maximum points from Sofapaka, which is not an easy team, is a great inspiration to my players,” Matano said.
His Sofapaka counterpart David Ouma was a bitter man who blamed the referee for their woes.
“He (the referee) denied us a clear penalty. It could have made all the difference,” he told Feverpitch.
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This was after left winger Miami Mbakiye went down inside the box under a heavy challenge from a Ulinzi defender, but the referee booked him for simulation.
Veteran John Baraza, with the assistance of overlapping defender Collins Shivachi and striker Wycliffe Opondo camped in Ulinzi territory for the better part of the second half, but they were stopped by Ulinzi defenders Geoffrey Kokoyo, Omar Ombongi and Brian Birgen.
Opondo released a blockbuster in the 50th minute, but it hit the crossbar with Ulinzi custodian Francis Ochieng beaten.
That prompted coach Ouma to bench strikers Heritier Luvualu and Evans Maliachi for Steve Nzigamasabo and Ishmail Niyonzima, changes that had little impact io the game.
Ulinzi came back into the game in the last quarter after Matano benched Nairuka and Makwata for Ezekiel Otuoma and Daniel Waweru.