Ulinzi, Kenya Police fire blanks in drub FKFPL encounter

Ulinzi Stars had to settle for a point against Kenya Police in a drub FKFPL encounter that took place at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Monday afternoon.

Although it was a tight affair, it was Kenya Police that created the more realistic chances in the first half, all of them failing to get converted by South Sudanese striker Tito Okello.

The first was in the 13th minute when he received a ball to feet and attempted a left footed strike at goal, but it could only hit the side netting.

The second and third came to him in quick succession, first, a header after he got on the end of a left-footed Abud Omar cross, and the other shortly afterwards after Charles Ouma gave him a good channel ball before he forced Ulinzi keeper Michael Wanyika into making an excellent save.

Ulinzi’s best chances came from freekicks, two from Boniface Muchiri and one from Leshan Mootian, but all of them were too easy for Police keeper Patrick Matasi to handle

This meant that both teams went into the dressing room at half time level on points.

Eddie Odhiambo would come in place of Boniface Muchiri at the beginning of the second half after he was forced to withdraw due to injury.

The story was no different in the opening few minutes of the second half, With Ulinzi failing to take proper use of another set piece situation, but Leshan did attempt a shot from outside the box that temporarily forced Patrick Matasi into making an excellent save.

Eddie Odhiambo would come in place of Boniface Muchiri at the beginning of the second half after he was forced to withdraw due to injury.

The story was no different in the opening few minutes of the second half, With Ulinzi failing to take proper use of another set piece situation, but Leshan did attempt a shot from outside the box that temporarily forced Patrick Matasi into making an excellent save.

The game would then become a damp squib until the 77th minute when Abud Omar hit a shot that caused confusion in the Ulinzi box, resulting in their defender frantically clearing their lines.

This prompted Anthony ‘Modo’ Kimani, coach of Ulinzi, into making a triple change in the 80th  minute. In came Lucas Maina, Elly Saenyi and Hillary Simiyu for Javan Omondi, Masita Masuta and Lelan to try and get a winner.

They could not do much to make a difference, and in the end, both sides had to settle for a point. Police now remain in fifth place, while Ulinzi Stars have climbed up to 13th place.

Ulinzi Stars XI: Michael Wanyika, Alex Masinde, Shaib Swaleh. Bonaventure Muchika, Glen Wafula, Bernard Ongoma, Leshan Mootian, John Kago. Masita Masuta, Javan Omondi, Boniface Muchiri

Ulinzi Stars Subs: Issah Emuria, James Saruni, Brian Birgen, Shannel Makwatta, John Otioeno, Yakeen Mutheli, Nick Omondi, Lucas Maina. Eddie Odhiambo, Hillary Simiyu, Omar Boraafya, Elly Saenyi

Kenya Police XI: Patrick Matasi, Yusuf Mainge, Abud Omar, Musa Mohammed, David Cheche, Charles Ouma, Marvine Nabwire, Tyson Otieno, Francis Kahata, Tito Okello, David Okoth

Kenya Police Subs: Job Ochieng, Baraka Badi, Brian Okoth, Patillah Omotto, Duncan Otieno, Sammy Onyango, Alvin Mang’eni, Clinton Kinanga, Rashid Mchelenga