Ulinzi Stars gun down spluttering Mathare at Afraha

Ulinzi Stars forward Elvis Nandwa (right) shield the ball from Mathare United midfielder Roy Okal during their SportPesa Premier League match at Afraha Stadium on April 14, 2019. PHOTO | RICHARD MAOSI |

What you need to know:

  • The Slum Boys, under the guidance of Francis Kimanzi, seemed not in a hurry to score particularly in the first half where they failed to create any meaningful chances, leaving Ulinzi goalkeeper James Saruni untroubled between the sticks.

Ulinzi Stars scored two goals in the second half to gun down unimpressive Mathare United 2-0 in the SportPesa Premier League at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru on Sunday.

The Slum Boys, under the guidance of Francis Kimanzi, seemed not in a hurry to score particularly in the first half where they failed to create any meaningful chances, leaving Ulinzi goalkeeper James Saruni untroubled between the sticks.

A furious coach Kimanzi was so disappointed by his charges that he snubbed the post-match interview moments after centre referee Japheth Juma blew for full time.

At one stage, Kimanzi warned photographers not take pictures along the touchline as the match was destined for a 2-0 victory for the soldiers.

An elated Ulinzi coach Benjamin Nyangweso was full of praise for his charges.

“This is my fifth match since I came back as the head coach and I am extremely delighted that the motivational talks I gave the boys have translated into a convincing win against Mathare. I hope to maintain the same tempo when we play away to Western Stima midweek,” said Nyangweso.

The surging soldiers, playing probably their best football at home this season, went into the offensive forcing four fruitless corners in the first half.

Barely four minutes into the game, Mathare goalkeeper David Okello was forced into action by lanky Ulinzi striker Oscar Wamalwa. Wamalwa's fierce drive from inside the box was saved by Okello, who had a busy afternoon between the posts.

In the 32nd minute, the on-song soldiers nearly came close to opening their scoring account when the hardworking Wamalwa set up Elvis Nandwa who in turn unleashed a powerful volley that an outstretched Okello parried out for a fruitless corner.

On resumption, the soldiers kept probing, with Wamalwa's glancing header from Ezekiel Okare's cross sailing over the bar on 50 minutes.

Mathare had their first real chance on goal five minutes later, but Kevin Kimani was denied by Saruni for the slum boys first corner of the match.

The marauding soldiers finally found the back of the net at the hour mark when Nandwa slotted home with a powerful volley from Daniel Waweru's corner kick - which was Ulinzi's fifth of the match.

Waweru, who was undoubtedly the man-of-the-match, played a key role in delivering the second goal for Ulinzi. The former Muhoroni Youth man teed up the advancing Wamalwa to fire home past Okello.

Kimanzi made two changes, bringing in Alphonse Ndonye and Ronald Reagan and recalled off colour Roy Okal and James Kinyanjui while Nyangweso withdrew Ezekiel Okare and Oscar Wamalwa for John Njuguna and Enosh Ochieng’.