Mathare United head coach Ezekiel Akwana chose to focus on the positives despite the 1-0 loss noting some improvements from the 3-0 thumping at the hands of Bandari last time out.”The match was not that bad it’s only that we did not play according to instructions, we gave them spaces to play which were from the wings and from the depth and that is why we lost the game today,””We lost our last game 3-0 and today it is a 1-0 defeat shows a little bit of progress because the game against Bandari we had not trained but today at least we had three weeks to prepare and come next match we are sure of better things,” said Akwana.Ulinzi Stars assistant coach Francis Ochieng highlighted his sides profligacy and opened up on his half time pep talk to the players as he urged them to create more chances.”It’s a positive result but then again it’s something we expected and we appreciate and thank the players for the good fight they have shown. In as much as we have wasted many chances we have been able to get the three points,””At half time I told the boys that we were creating a lot of chances and wasting them but I encouraged them to create more chances and I am glad we made use of one.” said Ochieng.FT: Mathare United 0-1 Ulinzi Stars 72′ C.Omondi#MathareVsUlinzi— Mathare United FC (@MathareUtd) October 16, 2021 The Slum Boys are now rooted to the bottom of the standing having lost their opening two games of the season and look firmly in contention for another relegation battle.The biggest talking points from the team sheets was the absence of James Saruni from the matchday squad with big calls from head coach Stephen Ochola who benched Enosh Ochieng and John Kago.Oozing with confidence after their win over Nzoia Sugar last time out, Ulinzi were quickly off the blocks and should have broke the deadlock as early as the second minute when Omar Borafya’s effort was cleared off the line by Victor Odhiambo.Ulinzi were lively with Clinton Omondi being a thorn in the flesh of Mathare United defense and in particular Norman Ogolla who had to pull him down in the seventh minute to prevent him from having a clean sight on goal as he was shown a yellow card for the infringement.Former Gor Mahia midfielder Ali Abondo went close in the 10th minute courtesy of a well struck free kick that narrowly missed the target from the right channel.The Soldiers came close again in the 21st minute with their aerial assault proving to be Mathare United’s soft underbelly when Brian Birgen found Mark Bikokwa whose header was tipped over the bar by Job Ochieng.Mathare United dipped into their bench early as they withdrew Alphonse Ndonye who looked a bit out if place and on came youngster Musa Saidi as both teams went into the half time break locked in a barren draw.📷 | GOAL CELEBRATION Mathare United 0 Ulinzi Stars 1#MatharevsUlinzi#FKFPL pic.twitter.com/5rC5DXHMaX— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) October 16, 2021 The second half was a tightly contested clash with the midfield battle dominating play as no clear cut chances in the first 20 minutes of play.Ulinzi again troubled Mathare with crosses as Harun Mwale’s delivery found Ibrahim Shami on the far post but his effort was comfortable dealt with Kennedy Ochieng who stuck to the post following a corner.Mathare’s resilience was finally broken in the 73rd minute when Mwale fed Oscar Wamalwa who had just been introduced but he miscontrolled the ball and quickly made amends by laying the ball to Clinton Omondi who tapped home from close range to reward his industrious play all afternoon.With the lead, Ulinzi Stars still threatened as they mounted wave after wave of attack but none of them failed to materialize as the Soldiers settled for a 1-0 win.
