Slum Boys take over barracks

PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH Ulinzi Stars FC's Steve Waruru (right) dribbles the ball past the Mathare United duo of John Odhiambo and Joseph Mwangi during a Tusker Premier League encounter at Nakuru's Afraha Stadium on September 29, 2012. Mathare won 1-0.

What you need to know:

  • Mathare, who had the upper hand in the opening stages of the game, capitalised on a porous Ulinzi defence to get the winning goal in the fifth minute
  • A crestfallen Ulinzi Stars technical bench, led by coach Sammy Simiyu and team manager Jack Matanguta, hurriedly left the stadium after the dismal show
  • The soldiers next meet AFC Leopards on October 17 at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi, in a key title-determining tie

Misfiring Ulinzi Stars may as well forget any hopes of reclaiming the Tusker Premier League title after they were gunned down 1–0 by visiting Mathare United in a tight game at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru, on Saturday.

Mathare, who had the upper hand in the opening stages of the game, capitalised on a porous Ulinzi defence to get the winning goal in the fifth minute.

Twenty-one-year-old Jesse Were fired the killer shot when he combined well with Francis Ouma for his eighth goal of the season, equalling ‘Slum Boys’ side’s leading scorer Andrew Tololwa.

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But it was Mathare's Ouma who did the donkey work before laying a neat pass on the path of Were, who punished Harambee Stars call-up goalkeeper Jackton Odhiambo with a powerful volley from the edge of the box.

“I have never scored against Ulinzi Stars and today I have accomplished what I have always wished to do,” said the former Kibera Black Stars player.

Were’s coach, Stanley Okumbi, was happy with the result. He said his target is to win at least two of the remaining four matches to secure a top eight finish.

Ulinzi miss target

Ulinzi did have their chances though.

Strikers Chester Okoyo, Wyclife Ochomo, Stephen Waruru and Evans Amwoka all missed the target when scoring seemed to be the easiest thing to accomplish.

A crestfallen Ulinzi Stars technical bench, led by coach Sammy Simiyu and team manager Jack Matanguta, hurriedly left the stadium after the dismal show.

Ulinzi missed out on a chance to climb to third place and even second on goal difference, and have seriously jeopardized their chances of regaining the title they held in 2011.

The soldiers next meet AFC Leopards on October 17 at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi, in a key title-determining tie.

Mathare on the other hand eased up to position nine on 32 points and are well on track to achieve a top-eight finish.

No sweetness here

Home side Chemelil Sugar could not take advantage of their familiar surroundings in a barren draw with Karuturi Sports.

It was Chemelil’s fourth unbeaten match and result maintained their eighth-place standing in the league table with five round of matches remaining.

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