Ulinzi Stars juniors clinch Under-20 title

Ulinzi Stars Under-19 captain (holding trophy) leads teammates in celebrating after beating Kakamega Homeboyz in the final to win SportPesa Premier League Under-19 Football tournament title on May 2, 2016 at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Ulinzi won in penalty shootouts after a 1-1 draw at the end of regular time remained so after the 30 minutes added time.
  • The team went ahead in the 22nd minute through Moses Mwangi, but second half substitute Hassan Ng’ang’a restored parity for Homeboyz, sending the game into extra time.
  • Homeboyz received a Sh300,000 cash prize for being the runners-up, as Ulinzi Stars pocketed Sh500,000.
  • The second edition of the junior team tournament will be played again this August.

Ulinzi Stars junior team edged out Kakamega Homeboyz 3-1 in a pulsating final to clinch the Kenyan Premier League Under-20 trophy at Nyayo National Stadium on Monday.

Ulinzi won in penalty shootouts after a 1-1 draw at the end of regular time remained so after the 30 minutes added time.

An elated Ulinzi coach Fred Ogot said the match was a difficult one, adding that he is delighted to have helped the club win its first trophy in five years.

“It has been a long time since we won any trophy, and I am glad that the juniors have done it. I received enough support from the senior team. I believe this is a sign of more good things happening to this club this year.

“The game was very tough. We knew that Homeboyz were physical, so we decided to kill them with speed. I told the players to use the wings and capitalise on counter-attacks. I believe that is how we managed to beat,” said Ogot during a post-match interview.

SOLID DEFENCE TACTICS

Ulinzi Stars’ senior team coach Robert Matano sat on the technical bench, as the juniors displayed some of his solid defence tactics.

The team went ahead in the 22nd minute through Moses Mwangi, but second half substitute Hassan Ng’ang’a restored parity for Homeboyz, sending the game into extra time.

In spite of Peter Owuor being sent off, Homeboyz did not make use of their numerical advantage, and the game ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

Faraj Ominde, Brian Munyendo and John Maina failed to convert their spot kicks for Homeboyz. Only Eric Muema scored for the team. for Homeboyz, as Salim Ali, Alex Masinde and Alex Sunga all hit the target for Ulinzi.

Homeboyz received a Sh300,000 cash prize for being the runners-up, as Ulinzi Stars pocketed Sh500,000.

The second edition of the junior team tournament will be played again this August.