Ongoma Fires Ulinzi Past Nzoia, KCB Dim Mt. Kenya In SPL Showdowns

6th May 2019 - by Louis Kalinga

Soldiers leapfrog AFC Leopards on the log as bankers recover from roller coaster 3-3 draw to sink basement side in Machakos

SportPesa Premier League action between Ulinzi Stars FC (left) and Nzoia Sugar FC at the Afraha Stadium, Nakuru on Monday, May 6, 2019. PHOTO/Courtesy/Ulinzi Stars FC

SUMMARY

After that roller coaster 3-3 draw against champions Gor Mahia FC where they spurned a 3-0 lead last time out, KCB FC meanwhile, banked maximum points when they battled to a 2-0 victory over basement side Mt. Kenya United FC in the other SPL clash of the day
The opening goal at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos was scored in the 62nd by reliable winger Kennedy Owino, when he latched onto a Bolton Omwenga corner
Gabriel Mugabo was next to be cautioned in first half stoppage time when he pulled down the speedy Wanyonyi

MACHAKOS, Kenya- A late Bernard Ongoma header propelled Ulinzi Stars FC to leapfrog AFC Leopards SC to eighth on the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) log following a 1-0 victory over stubborn Nzoia Sugar FC on Monday afternoon.

After that roller coaster 3-3 draw against champions Gor Mahia FC where they spurned a 3-0 lead last time out, KCB FC meanwhile, banked maximum points when they battled to a 2-0 victory over basement side Mt. Kenya United FC in the other SPL clash of the day.

At the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, Ongoma leapt the highest to bury a George Omondi cross in the 85th minute to decide a contest was was petering out into a draw.

The winner came two minutes after Nzoia threatened to steal all the spoils when David Wanjala's devious free-kick skimmed off the crossbar with injury to defender Hassan 'Rio' Mohammed in time added on the only other major incident in the dying embers of the contest.

Following their victory in Machakos, Frank Ouna's side are now 11th on 34 points, one adrift of Kariobangi Sharks FC above them in the standings as the 2010 champions Ulinzi extended their tally to 39, two above Leopards and level with Tusker FC who are only ahead on goal difference.

With six left to play, Mt. Kenya remain rooted to the bottom on 19 and look all but doomed after a miserable season that has seen the cash-strapped side formerly Nakumatt FC fail to pay their players since last year while Nzoia (32) sunk to 13th but with two games in hand over most of their rivals.

Pulled down

The opening goal at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos was scored in the 62nd by reliable winger Kennedy Owino, when he latched onto a Bolton Omwenga corner.

Second half substitute and former Leopards SC Striker Ezekiel Odera scored a controversial goal in the 79th minute to double the bankers advantage and seal the result.

Mt. Kenya players led by goalkeeper Philip Odhiambo protested the decision, claiming a couple of KCB players were offside but the referees stood by his decision and after some stoppage, the game proceeded to its conclusion.

Martin Nderitu was first on target for the bankers with a well taken right-footer effort but Odhiambo was equal to the task.

KCB full back Omwenga, who is slowly becoming a dead ball specialist, tested the keeper again two minutes later from a free kick but he punched it away to safety.

In the 22nd, the bankers turned up the heat and Benson Amianda did well on the left flank to square it for Nderitu, who took a great first touch but blasted his shot over.

There was a delay in the match as Brian Ochieng landed awkwardly, needing medical attention.

There were loud shouts for a KCB penalty two minutes to the break when Amianda looked to have been pulled down in the box but the referee waved play on.

Gabriel Mugabo was next to be cautioned in first half stoppage time when he pulled down the speedy Wanyonyi.