Ulinzi pip Nakumatt in Machakos

Substitute Oscar Wamalwa converted two penalties in the 68th and 86th minutes to hand Ulinzi Stars a hard-fought 3-2 win over Nakumatt in a dramatic Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match played at a soggy Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Sunday.

Wamalwa replaced the injured Masuta Masita at the half hour mark after colliding with Nakumatt goalkeeper Lucas Indeche. Brian Nyakan gave Nakumatt an early lead in the eighth minute slotting home from a tight angle before Elvis Nandwa equalised in the 35th minute.

Wamalwa’s goal was cancelled by a much protested Donald Mosoti penalty in the 84th minute, two minutes before Wamalwa restored the lead from another penalty that annoyed Nakumatt players who ran to the centre referee David Mulongo in protest.

Ulinzi defender Hassan "Rio" Mohammed looked the angrier on the pitch from the incident despite his side winning the penalty that Wamalwa converted for a 3-2 scoreline.

The soldiers had broken on the counter after a fruitless Nakumatt onslaught with Nandwa capitalising on a Daniel Waweru pass from the right flank to bury at the far post with Indeche beaten.

The second win for Ulinzi in three meetings against Nakumatt sends them to 19 points, eight ahead of bottom-placed Nakumatt after 12 rounds.

Nakumatt came into the match on the back of a 0-0 draw with Kariobangi Sharks last Saturday and would’ve scored more had they converted their first half chances.

John Kago brought down Timonah Wanyonyi on the edge of the box in the 34th minute, but John Njoroge’s free kick was parried by Jackton Odhiambo in the Ulinzi goal.

With the game locked at 1-1, Ulinzi coach Danstun Nyaudo threw into the fray Cliff Kasuti for Michael Otieno in the 59th minute. Kasuti’s pace troubled Nakumatt fullback Rodgers Ochieng’ and his 65th minute cross almost resulted into a goal but Indeche came to rescue.

Waweru floated in the rebound towards Kasuti before Mosoti clipped him inside the area prompting referee David Mulongo to point to the spot.

With six minutes to time, Ulinzi’s appeal for another penalty was turned down by Mulongo after Ochieng’ had fouled Kasuti in the box but two minutes later, he awarded Nakumatt a penalty that didn’t go well with the visitors.

Mosoti stepped up to walk all the way from the midfield to send Odhiambo the wrong way.

No sooner had the dust settled than Ulinzi won another penalty following a handball in the box from an Oliver Ruto corner kick as Wamalwa treated himself to a brace.

Ulinzi hosts Chemelil Sugar in their next match on May 2 with Nakumatt playing Bandari on the same day.