Ulinzi Barrack Bandari, Vihiga Edge Battle Of SPL Strugglers

10th March 2019 - by SPN Correspondent

Gap at the summit of the domestic top flight left to only a single point following the 1-2 reverse of the Dockers to the 2010 winners

Ulinzi Stars FC player, Boniface Okinyi in action. PHOTO/Courtesy/Ulinzi Stars FC

SUMMARY

Elsewhere, resurgent KCB FC are up to 12th after silencing the side immediately above them, Nzoia Sugar FC 2-0
At the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, Ulinzi inflicted only the second defeat on Bandari in the SPL this term when Enosh Ochieng' and Enos Okare popped up with the goals that sunk the visiting log-leaders
The home team however, survived the late onslaught to leapfrog Zoo in the table on goal difference with both side deadlocked at 15 apiece in positions 15th and 16th in that order

NAIROBI, Kenya- The race for the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) title took another twist on Sunday when leaders Bandari FC came unstuck at 2010 champions Ulinzi Stars FC as Vihiga United FC held off Zoo Kericho FC in the battle of the strugglers on Sunday.

Elsewhere, resurgent KCB FC are up to 12th after silencing the side immediately above them, Nzoia Sugar FC 2-0.

Bandari (32) failed to open up breathing space at the top of the congested SPL standings after the loss left them only a point above Mathare United FC with resurgent Sofapaka FC (30) who blanked Chemelil Sugar FC 3-0 on Saturday rounding off the top three.

Mt. Kenya United FC (12) prop the standings with Chemelil (14) and Zoo (15) within reach with the fight to escape the chop also as intriguing as the challenge to topple record 17-time domestic champions, Gor Mahia FC from the crown.

Gor (29) in fourth with two games in hand on the leaders are away for their CAF Confederations Cup Group D match against Zamalek FC in Cairo, Egypt later Sunday.

Second defeat

At the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, Ulinzi inflicted only the second defeat on Bandari in the SPL this term when Enosh Ochieng' and Enos Okare popped up with the goals that sunk the visiting log-leaders.

Ochieng' opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 55th minute after Bernard Odhiambo was adjudged to have fouled Okare in the box before Yema Mwama hauled Bandari level when he scored on the rebound after Ulinzi keeper, James Saruni spilled a free-kick into his path in the 69th.

Ochieng' and Okare combined for the all-important goal in the 85th, the latter heading in off the goal furniture after the Bandari keeper Faroukh Shikalo failed to deal with the former's initial effort as the soldiers got reward for bombarding the Docker's box with high balls.

Bethwell Warambo gave KCB the lead on the stroke of half-time before Chrispinus Onyango ensured the maximum points went to the bankers' vault to leave the winners on 19, one less than the visitors.

In the other Sunday game, Christopher Masinza tapped in the opener after 12 minutes for Vihiga at the Bukhungu Stadium before Dennis Wafula stretched coach Mike Mururi's side lead in the 68th following a lightening counter attack.

Danson Chetambe converted an 85th minute penalty for Zoo to set up a nervous finish after Vihiga were penalised for hacking down the marauding Jeffrey Gichana inside the danger area.

The home team however, survived the late onslaught to leapfrog Zoo in the table on goal difference with both side deadlocked at 15 apiece in positions 15th and 16th in that order.