Ulinzi Stars 0-1 Sony Sugar: Amos Asembeka strikes to stun soldiers
Sony Sugar striker Amos Asembeka (right) is congratulated after scoring during their GOtv Shield round of 32 match against Ulinzi Stars at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru on July 8, 2017. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The Benjamin Nyangweso-coached soldiers should blame themselves for early exit in the tournament .
- Taking the resultant spot kick, Amos Asembeka sent Ulinzi Stars second choice goalkeeper Jacktone Odhiambo diving on the wrong side.
Last year's GOtv Shield finalists Ulinzi Stars were dumped out of the competition on Saturday after falling 1-0 to Sony Sugar at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru.
The Benjamin Nyangweso-coached soldiers should blame themselves for early exit in the tournament as they controlled the proceedings particularly the second half where they wasted at least five clear chances.
A reckless foul by Ulinzi Stars stopper Hassan "Rio" Mohammed on Sony Sugar's Laban Gambareko inside the box after three minutes put the soldiers on the firing end when referee Anthony Ogwayo awarded the sugar millers a penalty kick.
Taking the resultant spot kick, Amos Asembeka sent Ulinzi Stars second choice goalkeeper Jacktone Odhiambo diving on the wrong side to fire home his seventh goal of the season in all competitions.
Nyangweso made one quick change in the second half introducing Enosh Ochieng' for Cliff Kasuti while on the opposite side coach Salim Babu brought in Victor Ademba and Yema Mwana for George Abege and Gambareko.
Ulinzi Stars winger Cliff Kasuti (right) vies for the ball with Sony Sugar's Benjamin Mosha during their GOtv Shield round of 32 match at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru on July 8, 2017. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT |
Ochieng' should have levelled the scores for Ulinzi in the 70th minute but his grass cutter was parried away by outstretching goalkeeper Kevin Omondi for a fruitless corner.
Nine minutes later Ochieng' continued with Ulinzi's tale of missed chances when he picked a loose ball inside the area but his powerful shot sailed over the cross bar.
With nine minutes to go and with Ulinzi virtually camping on Sony's half, Daniel Waweru's ferocious shot missed the target to the frustration of the handful fans that had turned out to watch the match.
Harambee Stars forward Samuel Onyango had a shot from outside the area that missed the target as the soldiers resorted to long range efforts in a bid to grab an equaliser to send the match into penalties.
Centre referee Anthony Ongwayo shields Omary Justine (left) of Sony Sugar and Samuel Onyango of Ulinzi Stars from going into a fight during their
GOtv Shield round of 32 match at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru on July 8, 2017. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
A crestfallen fallen Nyangweso blamed lady luck for the defeat.
"It was simply not our day. We had our chances but we missed the target and this was our undoing," said Nyangweso.
Babu was an elated man after the match and hailed his boys for holding on to an early goal.
"The early goal was a big blessing to us as we defended it well and this paid dividends after the 90 minutes," said Babu.
Ulinzi resume their hunt for the SportsPesa Premier League with an away match against Nakumatt while Sony will also be away to Mathare United next weekend.
