Ulinzi Stars head coach Anthony Kimani still believes that there exists a “lot of positives” from his side despite their recent torrid form that has seen them lose three games on the bounce and only goal difference separating them from the relegation places.Opting to view Sunday’s 1-0 defeat from a different lens, Kimani believed that the collective effort from his players was one he wished carried on to the subsequent matches, though with limited room for let offs.“Definitely this is not the way we expected to start our year but I think there are lots of positives to take away from our match,” Kimani said following Ingwe’s win, one that came in the nature of a Musa Oundo header in the 10th minute. “It wasn’t the result we wanted but that’s the sort of performance that we expect from the boys from this point henceforth given that we understand the position that we are in, one that doesn’t give us any room for complacency.”The current form, I must say, is not a reflection of who we are and the boys understand that.”Oundo header delivers Ingwe vital win over UlinziHaving been pinned to the wall in the opening minutes of the game, Ulinzi gradually steadied their ship for the latter part of the first half, creating decent opportunities for an equalizer that ended up spurned.Front-men Mark Bikokwa and Boniface Muchiri had their efforts blocked and scuffed respectively, while a shot from Ben Stanley Omondi drew an important save from Leopards keeper Levis Opiyo.But for much of their progressive play, the second half only yielded shots from deep, even as the military men struggled to keep hold of the ball.##NAJAVA_MECA_7781325##Speaking about his team’s second half approach, Kimani said: “I didn’t think that there was anything we did wrong in that period. We came in very patient believing in our build-up but then again once the clock starts running then you have to change your tack because we introduced our second forward [Enosh Ochieng] who is also very good in dealing in aerial situations.“We wanted to create those specific moments to see whether we could get something out of it and I think we got really really close.”Though eventually holding to their lead late on, AFC Leopards head coach Tomas Trucha thought Ulinzi’s style of play made the game easier for his side saying: “Ulinzi changed their style because normally they just play but today they decided to kick the long ball and I think it was a bit easier for us because when they just kick it to create, then for us is just to win the second balls.”Kimani, whose side faces KCB in their next fixture, aside from the match confirmed that two of his players – Bernard Ongoma and Masita Masuta – had resumed back to club training after completing military duties, and left the door open for new signings during the mid-season transfer window.Midfielder Bernard Ongoma and striker Masita Masuta are back in camp after missing the first leg due to other military duties.#GBUS pic.twitter.com/bv8TNjbxhM— Ulinzi Stars FC (@UlinziStarsFC) January 8, 2024 “The transfer window will give us an opportunity to strengthen a few of the areas we feel need more quality and personnel,” he said. “In the coming matches, maybe we’ll start seeing new faces that hopefully are going to give us what we’ve been lacking in the first leg.”
