Posta Rangers leaped to the top half of the FKF Premier League table after humbling Ulinzi Stars 1-0 at the Kasarani Annex on Sunday afternoon.Rangers, got the three points at the expense of Ulinzi, courtesy of Timothy Otieno who used his experience to make the difference in the contest in the first half. The result, sees the mailmen,three-game bag the sixth win of the season with Ulinzi suffering the fourth defeat in the campaign. Before kick off, Rangers handed Titus Achesa his second debut for the club having sealed a return to the team after spending the past four seasons at Sofapaka. John Kamau, reacting to the win said it was a reflection of the hard work his team had put in training.”I am happy we have managed back to back wins.We knew Ulinzi would be more direct especially in the second half. In this regard, we tightened our defence up to the last minute,” he said.Ulinzi boss, Bernard Mwalala conceded that the display his boys put against Rangers was their worst in the season. “This is the first time I am seeing my players put in such a poor show. It is normal in football. I am sure we will, bounce back,” he said.It didn’t take Rangers long before settling into the game, and making inroads to the Ulinzi area that, had to deal with constant attacks. The presence of Dinken Mwema, a natural defender in the Rangers midfielder proved, a tactical masterclass by coach John Kamau as the former Bidco United man, successfully cushioned the backline that had little to do in the first half. Mozzart Bet offers World’s Biggest Odds in three matchesWhile the Rangers backline had a strong insulator in Mwema, the same could not be concluded on the other hand as the trio of Cavin Odongo, Vincent Wasambo and Chrispinus Onyango were clearly, heads and shoulders above the Ulinzi midfielders. Rangers took a deserved lead in the 29th minute through Timothy Otieno, who beat the offside trap mounted by the defence to head home a sublime pass from Wasambo. Wasambo, wittingly spotted Otieno attempting to run behind the shoulders of his marker, before lobbying the ball past the wall that, unsuccessfully tried to, trap the forward in catching him offside. Ulinzi, had their first meaningful attack in the 39th minute through Masita Masuta who whipped the ball from outside the box but Kelvin Opiyo put his fists on the line, punching the ball for a corner. Second Half The tie swung into favour of Ulinzi in terms of dominance in the second half as the soldiers returned with vigour and showed the hunger to level matters. Boniface Muchiri came twice in drawing the four-time champions level through freekicks but Opiyo was firm in goal, palming the ball away in both occasions. Rangers handed Erick Kipkirui his debut in 69th minute, when he was thrown in to replace the tiring Cavin Odongo. The winger joined Rangers after leaving Kenya Police FC. Ulinzi introduced attack-minded players in a bid to break the Rangers wall but their efforts did not bear any fruit. SquadsUlinzi Stars Starting XI; Ricks Omondi, Bonaventure Muchika, Peter Glen, Brian Birgen, Collins Otieno, Bernard Ongoma, Masita Masuta, Issa Lumumba, Hillary Simiyu, Stephen Etyang (Enosh Ochieng 71), Muchiri Boniface.Unused substitutes; Stephen Ochieng, Makwata Shannel, Elvis Nandwa, Meshack Emuria, Boniface Andayi,Kevin Thairu, Chacha Swaleh, Reuben MitaPosta Rangers Starting XI; Kelvin Opiyo, Kennedy Owino, Dinken Mwema (Kennedy Ochieng 84), Michael Apudo, Vincent Wasambo, Elvis Osok, Titus Achesa, Bernard Ondiek, Timothy Otieno (Lewis Shivachi 84), Chrispinus Onyango, Cavin Odongo (Erick Kipkirui 69).Unused substitutes; Brandon Obiero, Sammy Imbuye, Maurice Sunga, Simon Omondi, Brian Otieno.
