Ulinzi Stars edged out Wazito FC by a solitary goal in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League match played at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon.Hillary Simiyu scored the all-important goal from the spot in the second half, his fifth goal of the campaign and the 12th for the team this season, adding the team’s points tally to 14.With the win, Ulinzi moved to fourth on the log while Wazito remained 17th with just one point.Clinton Omondi was the first to pose a real threat to Wazito’s custodian Ezekiel Onyango with a left-footed shot from outside the area in the fifth minute but the goalkeeper gathered to deny the winger.Fresh from a 4-0 thumping in midweek, Wazito sat back and absorbed the pressure taken their way in the first half, opting to hit Ulinzi on the counter, a strategy that worked on the defensive aspect.On resumption, Jeff Odongo was the first to make a change to his team, resting Abubakar Eneji and bringing in Anthony Odhiambo after just two minutes.Hillary Simiyu breaks the deadlock from the spot.74’Ulinzi Stars 1-0 Wazito pic.twitter.com/1zScGsBKWm— Murimi Njiru (@muriminjirujnr) January 8, 2023 However, Ulinzi had the first real chance at goal in the second period when Enosh Ochieng’ found Hillary Simiyu with a perfect cross but the resultant header from the latter went over the bar.At the hour mark, Wazito made another change as Cliff Oruko and Reagan Okoth came on for Bonface Owino and Collins Odhiambo. Benard Mwalala responded by bringing in Jacob Onyango and Elly Saenyi, resting John Kago and Clinton Omondi three minutes later.The Soldiers took the lead with 16 minutes left to play through Hillary Simiyu. Boniface Muchiri earned the penalty after running down the left side of attack and into the box, forcing an error on Wazito’s defender who handled the ball in the box prompting the referee to point to the spot. Simiyu stepped up to take the resultant penalty, and just like he did in the win over FC Talanta, slotted the ball into the net for the opener.After the goal, Wazito made a change as Ibrahim Ochieng’ made way for Stanley Okwemba as they chased the game, with Enosh Ochieng coming off for Mark Bikokwa with six minutes left to play.Ulinzi Stars Starting XI: Sylvaine Ricks Omondi, Brian Birgen, Omar Mbongi, Glen Wafula, Boniface Andayi, Benard Ongoma, John Kago, Clinton Omondi, Enosh Ochieng, Hillary Simiyu, Boniface MuchiriSubs: James Saruni, Salim Swaleh, Shannel Makwatta, Bonventure Muchika, Jacobd Onyango, Francis Omondi, Ruben Mita, Mark Bikokwa, Elly SaenyiWazito FC Starting XI: Ezekiel Onyango, Vincent Otieno, Yusuf Mohammed, Dennis Owino, Fred Onyango, Bonface Owino, Ibrahim Ochieng’, Hillary Otieno, Collins Odhiambo, Clinton Okoth, Abubakar Eneji (Anthony Odhiambo) 47′.Subs: Churchil Obuoho, Cliff Oruko, Clinton Bulimo, Stanley Okwemba, Daniel Shauri, Steven Okiro, Reagan Okoth
