Churchill Muloma of Ulinzi stars (right) battles for the ball with Daniel Mwaura of Mathare United during the sportpesa Premier league match played at Afraha stadium in Nakuru on April 23,2017.Ulinzi won 5-1.PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH

Ulinzi Stars went on the rampage, hammering hapless Mathare United 5-1 at Afraha Stadium. The soldiers showed their intent to win early, with a 4th minute strike by international Samuel Onyango that caught Mathare United custodian Levis Opiyo on the wrong foot. From then on Ulinzi used their wings to spread the balls to their strikers and it did not come as a surprise when veteran striker Steve Waruru chipped the ball from the left flank over Opiyo from a cross by Onyango for the second goal in the 8th minute.

Waruru, who had a good day in the match, was on the mark again five minutes later when he again chipped the ball over Opiyo for their third goal after receiving a perfect cross from defender Brian Birgen.

Derrick Onyango reduced the deficit for the slum boys when he tapped in past James Saruni in the 25th minute for a 3-1 half-time standing.

Dennis Waweru extended Ulinzi Stars’ lead from a penalty after Cliff Kasuti was felled in the box.

Second half substitute Enosh Ochieng, in for Waruru, completed the rout who came in the 80th minute, when he scrambled in the ball from a goalmouth melee.

Saruni a poorly taken penalty by Mathare Uniteds’ Derrick Onyango two minutes from normal time.

In Thika, AFC Leopards leapfrogged rivals Gor Mahia into the second position after beating ten-man Thika United 2-1.

The victory saw Ingwe go level on points (13) with third placed K’Ogalo, but with a better goal difference than Gor who were held to a barren draw by Tusker on Saturday.

Ghanaian import Gilbert Fiamenyo broke the deadlock in the 35th minute before his provider Wyvonne Isuza doubled the lead on the hour mark. Substitute Salim Mzee pulled a goal back for the hosts in the injury time just after Christopher Oruchum had been given his marching orders.

AFC Leopards threatened first in the 11th minute through Robinson Kamura’s free kick after Allan Kateregga was tripped at the edge of the box by Oruchum, but captain Dennis Omino rescued the occasion.

Thika responded a few moments later with Eugene Mukangula and Saidi Tsuma combining well upfront, but AFC backline kept them at bay.

However, AFC persisted with their attacking and were finally rewarded in the 35th minute when burly striker Gilbert Fiemenyo received a long pass from Isuza, dummied three Thika defenders before beating goalkeeper Eliud Emase at the near post.

Isuza then opened his goal-scoring account in the den on the hour mark after Emase fumbled a shot from the left flank. This was just after a tense moment where both technical bench members invaded the pitch following a tussle between AFC midfielder Duncan Otieno and Thika’s Sosthenes Idah. Otieno had been dangerously tackled by his Thika counterpart.

Thika could have pulled a goal back in the 66th minute, but Onwudi Chibueze wasted the scoring opportunity. The hosts were reduced to ten-men in the 87th minute after Oruchum was sent-off for a second bookable offence.

A minute later, AFC goalkeeper Ian Otieno charged forward to deny Mukangula, but substitute Salim Mzee quickly pounced on rebound to score Thika’s consolation goal.

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