NAIROBI, Kenya, October 3 – Visiting Ulinzi Stars sustained their late push for the Kenyan Premier League title when they rallied from a goal down to beat Chemelil Sugar 2-1 on Friday.
The 2010 champions moved up to third, seven points adrift of leaders Gor Mahia whilst Chemelil’s ambitions of nailing a maiden title suffered setback although both sides are locked on 42 points with the soldiers ahead on goal difference.
Willis Ouma put the hosts ahead in the 13th minute after capitalizing on Eric Apul’s meek clearance to slam the ball home with a thunderbolt that rose to the top corner past the despairing dive of keeper James Saruni.
The Sugar Millers created further chances in the first-half with Georson Likono and Hamisi Mwinyi squandering opportunities.
Ulinzi returned charged for the second half and substitute Job Muhati restored parity in the 63rd after nut-megging captain Charles Odero to beat unsighted custodian Jairus Adira at his near post.
Unmarked Defender Mohammed Hassan scored the winner for Robert Matano’s charges 10 minutes to the final whistle after rising highest to head home a Stephen Waruru corner to net his first goal of the season as Mike Mururi’s charges lost their defensive discipline.
“The game became tough when we conceded the goal but we recollected ourselves in the second half and managed to come back and also the substitutes really paid.
“I was waiting the cross behind the strikers because I saw it coming so I’m happy to score my first goal of the season. We are still in contention we have two matches at home and the other two away, we are determined to win all so for now we are focusing on our next match against Western Stima,” Mohammed said.
The win saw Matano pick his third successive win as he bids to lift the trophy again after leading Tusker to the title in 2013 courtesy of another late rally in the run in.
