Javan Omondi was the hero as his sublime 79th-minute strike handed Ulinzi Stars a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kariobangi Sharks at Dandora Stadium on Saturday afternoon.The win extends Ulinzi’s impressive run to three straight victories, propelling them to 10th place on the table with 22 points. Meanwhile, Sharks’ winless streak stretched to six games, dropping them to 14th with 19 points from 17 outings.The action kicked off with a bang for Kariobangi Sharks in the second minute when Stephen Mbulere earned a foul just outside the box.Ally Salum stepped up for Sharks, but his shot smacked straight into the wall. His follow-up effort was far from impressive, as the target was safe from harm.##NAJAVA_MECA_8640700##Sharks wasted no time asserting dominance, weaving quick passes between Leonlevitt Otieno, Ally Salum, and Keith Imbali. Their chemistry on the ball had the Ulinzi defense on edge early.In the fifth minute, Ulinzi Stars opted for route one football, and it almost paid off spectacularly.Spotting Sharks keeper Sebastian Wekesa off his line, Lotian Mootian went for the Hollywood moment with a long-range lob. The ball kissed the crossbar on its way out, leaving fans gasping and the former Vickers midfielder with his hands on his head.Both teams kept knocking on the door but struggled to unlock each other’s defenses.In the 15th minute, the intensity reached new heights—literally. Leshan and Wekesa clashed mid-air in an ugly collision that left both needing medical attention.While they were patched up, their teammates seized the downtime for some impromptu strategy huddles, perhaps brainstorming ways to breach the high defensive blocks.Kenya working round the clock to complete stadia despite CHAN postponementThe half rolled on without much spark, offering little to excite the fans. By the 25th minute, the match had settled into a rhythm—calm, measured, and a touch dull.Ulinzi earned the first corner in the 30th minute, with Boniface Muchiri swinging it into the box. Unfortunately, it lacked the oomph to trouble the Sharks defense, who cleared the danger with ease.Finally, a moment of magic came in the 44th minute when Mbulere unleashed a screamer from the edge of the box, forcing Ulinzi keeper Sylvaine Ricks into a spectacular full-stretch save.##NAJAVA_MECA_8640797##As referee Bernard Ouma Mangoli blew the halftime whistle, the scoreboard remained unbothered.Both teams trudged off the field, no doubt hoping to bring more firepower and flair into the second half.The closing stanza kicked off with renewed energy from both sides, Sharks showing a bit more bite as they piled the pressure on Ulinzi’s defense.Ulinzi keeper Sylvaine Ricks proved to be their saving grace, pulling off a series of sharp saves to keep his side in contention.##NAJAVA_MECA_8640739##As the intensity rose, both coaches turned to their benches, rolling out quick substitutions in a bid to seize control of the game.Then came the moment of brilliance in the 79th minute. Omondi, from what looked like an innocuous position, sent a curling ball from his left foot that danced its way into the far corner of the net.Whether he meant it as a cross or a shot, it did not matter—it was sheer genius, Sharks keeper was left frozen, and the military men had their lead.NSL newcomers docked points as FKF cracks whip on indisciplined teamsThe final ten minutes saw little drama apart from a flurry of defensive and attacking changes.Ulinzi Stars stood firm, resolute in their defense, and ensured they walked away with all three points.A clinical performance from Ulinzi Stars, while Kariobangi Sharks will head back to the drawing board, still searching for answers to their winless woes.
