Ulinzi Stars will return home on Thursday afternoon at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata as they host KCB FC in Round 13 of the SportPesa League 25/26, with the match slated to kick off at 4PM.
Ulinzi’s hunt for their first win at home this season continues(2D, 3L), with the Soldiers desperate to impress the home crowd and bounce back from last week’s defeat to Tusker FC at the SportPesa Arena, while KCB have seen a resurgence in recent days.
KCB are currently eighth on the log, three places above the Soldiers, who are still under the guidance of Interim Coach Stephen Ocholla.
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Ulinzi Stars vs KCB preview
The Soldiers enter the match on the backdrop of inconsistent results in the last few games. They have won two, lost twice, and drew once in the preceding five fixtures.
Of concern, however, is the fact that they have scored more than one goal only once this season—in the 3-1 away victory over Sofapaka with just one cleansheet in their last ten matches.
The Bankers, on their side, are on an upward trajectory. After losing three consecutive matches, they have now gone five matches without defeat, the second-best unbeaten run after Murang’a Seal’s six. The last five matches have seen them bag two wins and three draws.
In the last five meetings between the two sides, KCB have the edge with two wins, while the remaining three matches have ended in a stalemate.
Last season saw them complete the double over the Lang’ata-based team with a 2-1 away win and a 1-0 victory at home.
A win for Robert Matano’s-coached KCB would elevate them into the top five in the league, while victory for Ulinzi Stars would give them a well-needed boost for their first win at home.
The league will then continue with five fixtures earmarked for Jamhuri Day on Friday. Kakamega Homeboyz welcome Shabana FC at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega; Bidco United host Mathare at the Kasarani Main Stadium; while Gor Mahia travel to Mbaraki to battle it out with Bandari.
APS Bomet will face Posta Rangers in Kericho, as Nairobi United round up Friday’s fixtures with a match against Murang’a Seal at the Kasarani Annex.