- Paul Odhiambo scored the all-important goal in the APS Bomet vs Ulinzi Stars game.
- The strike handed Stephen Ocholla his first win as interim Ulinzi Stars head coach.
- Defeat extended APS Bomet’s winless run to four matches in the SportPesa League.
Ulinzi Stars finally found their rhythm under new head coach Stephen Ocholla, securing a hard-earned 1–0 victory over SportPesa League debutants APS Bomet in a tense midweek fixture played in Kericho.
It was a significant moment for Ocholla, a club legend who has been searching for his first win since taking charge, and he showed his intent by handing debuts to Bill Okite and Andrew Otunda.
There was also a change in goal, with Sylvain Ricks returning to the starting lineup after replacing Timothy Odhiambo, who has been the regular choice between the posts this season.
ALSO READ: Ulinzi Stars appoint Stephen Ocholla as interim coach after sacking Nyaudo
APS Bomet vs Ulinzi Stars report
APS Bomet came into the match buoyed by their 1–1 draw against Mathare United last weekend, and coach Bernard Wanjala made a few tweaks to his side which saw Dancun Mogasa, Evans Mwirigi, Sven Yidah and Cosmas Muhoro all start as he sought to build on that result.
Despite their possession dominance, they struggled to create clear chances, especially in the first half.
The soldiers showed purpose from the opening minutes. In the second minute, Masuta rose to meet a Telena Ochieng cross, but his header drifted over the bar.
Ulinzi Stars continued to threaten even though APS Bomet maintained better control of the ball. In the twelfth minute, Birgen danced past his marker and sent in a dangerous cross that Paul connected with, only for the ball to roll inches wide.
ALSO READ: Ulinzi Stars halt Gor Mahia’s winning streak in Kasarani stalemate
Just before the half-hour mark, Mucasa nearly put the soldiers ahead, but his effort fell short. APS Bomet, despite seeing more of the ball, were fortunate to head into halftime level as Ulinzi Stars had created the more meaningful chances.
The second half began with the same intensity. Telena remained lively, and in the forty-eighth minute he delivered another inviting freekick that found Masuta, whose glancing header went narrowly wide.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the fifty-second minute. Paul Okoth produced the moment of brilliance Ulinzi Stars had been searching for, controlling the ball superbly before unleashing a ferocious shot from outside the box that left goalkeeper Bob Cetric helpless.
It was Okoth’s second goal of the season.
APS Bomet responded with substitutions, bringing on Alex Keke and Hansel Ochieng, the latter having scored from the spot in their previous match.
However, they still found it difficult to break down Ulinzi’s disciplined backline. Ulinzi nearly doubled their lead in the sixty-ninth minute after quick interplay between Mwanyika and Wafula, but a defender cleared Paul’s effort off the line.
Ochola made changes of his own, introducing Simon Omondi to steady the team as they protected their slim lead.
APS Bomet pushed harder in the final minutes and came close when substitute Hansel was denied by a crucial block from Andrew Otunda in the seventy-seventh minute.
More substitutions followed from both sides, but the soldiers held firm. In stoppage time, Ulinzi brought on Ibrahim Shambi for fresh legs, and they saw out the match professionally.
The final whistle confirmed Ulinzi Stars’ second win of the season and, more importantly, Ochola’s first triumph since taking over from Danstun Nyaudo.
For APS Bomet, the defeat marked their fifth loss of the campaign, the most of any team in the SportPesa League, underlining the difficult baptism they continue to endure in their debut top-flight season.
