Battling Nairobi City Stars hold Ulinzi Stars at Nyayo Stadium

Nairobi City Stars rallied from behind to force a 1-1 draw with Ulinzi Stars in an end-to-end Kenyan Premier League match at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.

The soldiers took a second minute lead when Luis Masika inevitably turned the ball into his own net in a desperate bid to clear out but hard work and sheer determination salvaged a point for City Stars after veteran striker Ezekiel Odera struck the equaliser with seven minutes left.

Picking a long pass from his own half, Odera got the better of Omar Mbongi before squeezing his way past three defenders to beat James Saruni in Ulinzi’s goal with the rebound.

City Stars were technical in either side of the half bossing proceedings but could not get the ball in the net in the first half which cost them what would have been their first win in the second round of the league matches.

"We are happy with the result. Throughout the week we have been working on our technique and what you saw was well planned for. The aim is to keep working and get a win in the next match," City goalkeeper Ronnie Kagunzi said after the match.

For Ulinzi coach Robert Matano, the draw was a big disappointment.

"I do not understand this. Lapse in concentration cost us the match," he fumed. "Mbongi (Omar) was pushed in the build-up to the equalizer and I don't understand why a foul was not given."

Ulinzi have now picked just a point in three matches after losing 1-0 to Mathare United and 2-1 to Tusker but Matano remains bullish of his side's chances of lifting the title. "It's just three matches, more are yet to be played," he charged.