Four-time Kenyan champions Ulinzi Stars snapped their five-game winless run in style after edging ten-man Kenya Police 1-0 in the Forces Derby staged at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Friday 18 April. Prior to the match, Ulinzi had not won a league game since 15 February and were winless since relocating home matches to the Lang’ata facility. Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsUp to Ksh12.9 million awaits Timothy Cheruiyot in stacked Miami Grand Slam TrackHowever, the soldiers built on their Mozzart Bet Cup 2-0 win over Murang’a Seal to bounce back to winning ways, easing pressure on coach Danstun Nyaudo. While Ulinzi returned to winning ways and managed to relieve the growing relegation fears, Police were left to rue missed chances and the result which certainly left a dent on their title hopes. The law enforcers had hoped to secure maximum points, and cross the 50-point mark as well as go four clear at the top, but Ulinzi had other thoughts. First HalfIt was a busy half for both goalkeepers with Job Ochieng being the busiest courtesy of the missiles launched his way by the soldiers. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8867607##Ochieng, standing tall in the Police goal, put his palms on the line on a number of occasions to stop Ulinzi from ensuring their long spell of dominance counted before the half time whistle.The former Mathare United custodian pulled a decent save to deny Bonface Muchiri from giving Ulinzi from a well taken free kick in what was arguably the best moment of the half.Ochieng also denied Meshack Karani, Yakeen Mutheli and Joseph ‘Kajos’ Ochieng from finding the back of the net in the half that was characterized by strong challenges from Police.Similarly, Ulinzi custodian Issa Emuria was impressive, claiming all the deliveries from Abud Omar, who was overlapping and whipping in crosses in a bid to find the tallest player on the pitch, Clinton Kinanga.Emuria, who was making his second league start of the season, was instrumental in stopping the goal-hungry Police forwards and looked comfortable when coming off the line to claim crosses. Kenya U20 shelve plans for Morocco training camp ahead of debut U20 AFCONThe early withdrawal of Kenneth Muguna and the absence of Mohammed Bajaber did not help Police, give their struggles in the final third. While the goalkeepers had a good half, it was a frustrating one for the forwards especially Ulinzi hitman Karani, who missed the clearest of the chances created. Lack of composure let the experienced forward down, as he failed to chip the ball in the empty net in the second quater of the game. Karani, who is yet to open his goal account since his move to Ulinzi in February, was later withdrawn in the 70th minute for Oscar Wamalwa. Second HalfUlinzi had the best possible start, as they broke the deadlock barely a minute after restart through Muchiri, who tapped in Mutheli’s cross. Shabana FC forward still dreaming of lifting FKFPL after Mozzart Bet Cup exitLoss of concentration by the Police back line allowed Ochieng to sneak the ball to Mutheli on the right, with the winger out pacing his marker to lay the ball to Muchiri, who netted his third goal of the season. Despite bringing in fresh legs, Police appeared to struggle in the final third, as they did little to trouble the Ulinzi back line let alone testing Emuria. Ulinzi, on the other hand, were disciplined when in possession and managed the game to ultimately secure their seventh win of the season. When you travel 20 hours just to meet WanyamaPolice were forced to play the final three minutes of the game with a man less after Baraka Badi was sent off for a second bookable offence.The right back had his name taken in the 35th minute with a late challenge on Leshan Mootian in injury time sealing his fate.
