Ulinzi Stars climbed out of the SportPesa League relegation zone with a 1-3 away win over Sofapaka at the Kasarani Annex in the final match of Gameweek 10 on Monday, November 24.
Paul Okoth netted a second-half brace to complete a comeback after Sofapaka’s early goal from Douglas Kibet.
Okoth has now scored in back-to-back Premier League matches to give the soldiers a consecutive win for the first time this season. Ulinzi’s other goal was scored by Masita Masuta for the leveler.
The hosts made two changes to the starting lineup with Michael Otieno and Ronald Musumba coming in for Adrian Oloo and Vinedine Ambesa, who started in the last match against Bandari.
For Ulinzi, they welcomed back their assistant captain, Boniface Muchiri, who replaced Peter Mwanyika as the only change of the day.
Ulinzi Stars beat Sofapaka climb out of SportPesa League relegation zone
The Ezekiel Akwana-coached Sofapaka took an early lead inside the first six minutes with a low shot after a brief exchange in the box with Joseph Kuloba. Seconds later, they would almost double their lead as Kuloba’s effort went just wide.
The soldiers would level the scores in the twenty-fifth minute when Masita Masuta netted his first of the season, with the first half ending in a 1-1 draw.
At the start of the second half, Ulinzi’s Paul Okoth had the chance to give the away team the lead when he rounded the keeper but failed to score from close range after quick recovery from Edward Olak.
His exploits would prove fruitful at the hour mark as he pressed high on Olak, who lost the ball for Okoth to make it two for Ulinzi.
Five minutes later, Masuta rounded off his marker and found Okoth, who rose highest to head it home and seal a third victory of the season for the soldiers.
The win takes the Francis Ocholla-coached side to ninth on the log; prior to this match, Ulinzi had scored only six goals.
For Batoto Ba Mungu, it’s back-to-back losses and five goals conceded, leaving them fourteenth on the log.
Sofapaka vs Ulinzi Stars SportPesa League Round 10 Lineups
Sofapaka: Edward Olak, Stephen Bonney, Roy Okal, Iddrisi Shaibu, Douglas Kibet, Daniel Ng’ang’a, Joseph Kuloba, Michael Otieno, David Nshiyimana, Ronald Musumba, Japheth Mzungu.
Ulinzi Stars: Sylvain Ricks, Brian Birgen, Telena Ochieng’, Bildad Abonga, Brian Okite, Wyc Wafula, Brian Emilio, Paul Okoth, Masita Masuta, Boniface Muchiri.