Ulinzi Stars made it two wins on the bounce after securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Mara Sugar at Dandora Stadium on Sunday 12 January. Having rode through a tough seven-match winless run at the close of 2024, Ulinzi made sure to build on their 2-1 victory over Nairobi City Stars before the break with a dominant performance to start the year, and one that was settled late in the game.##NAJAVA_MECA_8624859##After coming close severally, Dunstan Nyaudo’s side finally got one to go as their returning talisman Boniface Muchiri, just on as a substitute, found Staphod Odhiambo with a delightful 76th minute free kick that he nodded past Ezekiel Owade.The goal, wildly celebrated by the technical bench, was in its own way special as Muchiri had just landed in the country on Sunday after representing the country for Harambee Stars in the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar.Arnold Origi’s Harambee Stars appointment praised as step forwardThe midfielder came in at halftime and his impact was telling, as he teed up Odhiambo for a chance in the 66th minute before lifting a free kick straight into his path got a winner.It was ultimately a deserved win for the hosts, who had earlier seen Enosh Ochieng’s goal in the 36th minute ruled out for a tight offside, with Muchiri also suffering the same fate in the dying minutes.Kalekwa confident Sofapaka will thrive despite Matano’s exit to TanzaniaMara Sugar had their own decent chance in the first-half, but Sylvaine Ricks stood tall in goal.George Midenyo’s side, in addition to losing their sixth game in seven matches, lost keeper Felix Adoyo to injury, with Owade coming in his place.
