Zoo Kericho stun Ulinzi Stars
What you need to know:
- Hosts Ulinzi Stars on Sunday suffered an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at the hands of newcomers Zoo Kericho at the Afraha Stadium, Nakuru County.
- This was Zoo's first ever win in the top flight, achieved in their eight attempt.
- At the final whistle, Zoo players danced in delight after securing a first ever historic league win on their eighth attempt.
Hosts Ulinzi Stars on Sunday suffered an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at the hands of newcomers Zoo Kericho at the Afraha Stadium, Nakuru County.
This was Zoo's first ever win in the top flight, achieved in their seventh attempt.
At the final whistle, Zoo players danced in delight after securing a first ever historic league win on their eighth attempt.
This turned out to be a hard fought victory, even though the victors took command of the early exchanges when Dominic Ouma pumped in a long range shot on 16 minutes from the centre of the pitch, which was eventually connected into the back of the net past a stranded James Saruni, who was marshalling the soldiers goalmouth by Geoffrey Gichana.
Ulinzi Stars sharpshooter Stephen Waruru should have increased his league haul this season to five goals in the 31st minute, but his rasping shot was blocked by goalkeeper Vincent Misikhu for a fruitless corner.
But hardly 30 seconds later, the soldiers were at par when Churchill Muloma fired a block buster from outside the box into the net, a shot that caught Zoo Kericho custodian Misikhu flat footed.
David Waweru missed a glorious opportunity to hand Ulinzi the lead on the stroke of half-time, when he blasted a penalty wide.
On resumption Benjamin Nyangweso made his first change bringing in Enosh Ochieng' for Cliff Kasuti.
But the soldiers continued with their tale of missed chances with Boniface Onyango missing a sitter three minutes into the second half before he was summoned to the bench and his position taken by Baron Oketch.
On the opposite side Zoo coach Sammy Onyango introduced Sindani Sabiri and Andrew Ongwae for Nixon Amulundu and Michael Madoya a move that saw them frustrate the soldiers.
The pride of place should go to Zoo defenders Dominic Ouma , Stanlaus Akiya, Johnson Ligare and William Obayi who foiled all the attacks by the soldiers in the last quarter of the match.
In the 68th minute, Zoo Kericho were finally on the driving seat when Benard "Waguche" Odhiambo booted a high free kick which was headed into the net by Kevin Omondi past charging Ulinzi Stars custodian James Saruni.
"This is a sweet victory and beating a battle hardened soldiers is a big plus to the boys and I am proud of their victory as this is our first win in the league," said coach Okoth.
Coach Nyangweso rued the missed chances and hoped the team will improve in their next match.
"We must overcome this jinx of missed chances because it is sad losing easy scoring chance including a penalty," said a crestafallen Nyangweso.
