Nakumatt shoot down misfiring Ulinzi Stars

Nakumatt goalkeeper Sammy Okinda (top) makes a save during their SportPesa Premier League match against Ulinzi Stars at the Afraha Stadium on August 6, 2017. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT |

What you need to know:

  • Ulinzi face Gor Mahia at the same venue in their next league match while Nakumatt welcome Sofapaka at home.

Misfiring Ulinzi Stars continued with their poor run after falling 1-0 to Nakumatt in a SportPesa Premier League match at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru County on Saturday.

The loss, which was their third on the trot following their successive losses to Nzoia Sugar in their last two matches, dealt a blow to their ambitions of reclaiming the league title they last won in 2010.

Benjamin Nyangweso’s charges lost 2-1 to Nzoia Sugar 2-1 last Sunday at the same venue and last Wednesday in their second leg opening match the soldiers were once again were hit 1-0 by the sugar millers at Sudi Stadium.

Against the cash-strapped Nakumatt, the soldiers were made to pay for their lethargic display.

Their attacking pattern was haphazard and hardly threatened their opponents’ backline which was well marshalled by Eugene Ambulwa and Sammy Onyango.

However, it was the soldiers who had a lion share of missed chances in the first half with John Waweru and Samuel Onyango the culprits.

Nyangweso, who cut as dejected figure on the touchline, made two quick successive substitutions in the second half introducing Enosh Ochieng and Cliff Kasuti for the off colour Benson Sande and John Kago.

The duo did not turn the game as the soldiers continued to run short of scoring ideas with overlapping defender Omar Mbongi’s glancing header at the hour mark missing the target.

WARURU MISS

Moments later, the league’s top scorer Stephen Waruru should have opened the scoring but his feeble shot didn’t trouble goalkeeper Sammy Okinda.

Kasuti joined the list of the wasteful soldiers with 10 minutes from time, failing to beat Okinda after he was through on goal.

Nakumatt coach Anthony Mwangi brought in Bruno Kiyai and David Naftali and rested David Gateri and the tired Kepha Aswani.

This changes paid dividends as Nakumatt stepped up their efforts for a winning goal taking the game to the soldiers' goalmouth.

Nakumatt finally got the all-important goal of the in the 86th minute when Kelvin Thairu scored for the first time this season after he latched onto a rebound inside the six-yard box to fire home past Ulinzi Stars custodian Jecktone Odhiambo.

"We lost many scoring chances and when you can't score then you have no one to blame," said Nyangweso.

Nakumatt coach Anthony Mwangi was elated after collecting maximum points away from home.

"We have been undergoing financial challenges as a team and players have not been paid their allowances for the last two months but this victory is big morale booster for us," said Mwangi.

Ulinzi face Gor Mahia at the same venue in their next league match while Nakumatt welcome Sofapaka at home.