Ulinzi Stars will return to competitive action on Sunday afternoon when they host Nairobi United at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in a SportPesa League encounter kicking off at 3pm.
The fixture marks the soldiers’ first match of the year after the Christmas break and presents an opportunity for coach Stephen Ochola’s side to reset their campaign as the first half of the season comes to an end.
For Nairobi United, the visit to the barracks comes at a turbulent moment.
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The newly promoted side are playing their third match in less than ten days and are still adjusting to changes on the touchline.
Head coach Nicholas Muyoti parted ways with the club before their recent clash against AFC Leopards, a match Nairobi United lost 2-0.
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Technical Director Salim Ali stepped in to lead the team on an interim basis and will once again be in charge this afternoon.
Earlier in the year, Nairobi United had shown promise with a 3-1 win over Shabana FC in one of their rescheduled fixtures, a result that underlined their potential despite recent instability.
This will be the first competitive meeting between Ulinzi Stars and Nairobi United, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the contest.
On the league table, the sides are separated by just three points. Ulinzi Stars sit 14th, while Nairobi United are 11th, a reflection of two teams still searching for consistency.
Ulinzi Stars have scored 15 goals so far this season, with forward Paul Okoth leading the SportPesa League scoring charts with an impressive nine goals.
However, defensive lapses have been a concern, with the soldiers conceding 16 goals, although they have managed five clean sheets.
Nairobi United’s numbers tell a similar story. They have also scored 15 goals but conceded 14, keeping only three clean sheets, a statistic that suggests vulnerability at the back.
Recent form slightly favours Nairobi United. In their last five matches, they have recorded two wins, one draw and one loss, with one match against Gor Mahia ending prematurely following crowd trouble.
Ulinzi Stars, on the other hand, have struggled for momentum, managing just one win, one draw and three losses in the same period.
The hosts will also be keen to improve their home form, having won only once in their last nine matches at home.
Despite that, Coach Ochola will draw confidence from Nairobi United’s defensive struggles and the presence of league top scorer Okoth, who remains Ulinzi’s biggest attacking threat.
Ulinzi Stars head into the match with a fully fit squad, a welcome boost at this stage of the season.
Nairobi United will be without Prince Buregeya and Harambee Stars midfielder Mansur Okwaro due to injury. Interim coach Salim Ali confirmed the absences, saying;
“Prince Buregeya and Mansur will be missing through injuries but they will be back for light training hopefully they will be better soon.”
Even so, Ali believes his side can rise to the occasion despite the congested schedule. “There’s a plan that we’ve put in place and hopefully it will work as we are also dealing with fixture congestion,” he added.
Youngster Ashrafe Thaire, who made his debut in the loss to AFC Leopards, is confident Nairobi United can secure a positive result.
“I expect a win against Ulinzi Stars, we’ve worked well in training and expect it go well for us,” he said.
The match kicks off at 3pm, with tickets available exclusively online. Regular tickets cost KES 200, while VIP tickets go for KES 500. Fans can purchase tickets via Fanpass
SportPesa League Round 16 Sunday January 11 fixtures
- Posta Rangers vs Kariobangi Sharks – Kasarani Stadium – 2pm
- Shabana FC vs Gor Mahia – Gusii Stadium – 3pm
- Ulinzi Stars vs Nairobi United – Ulinzi Sports Complex – 3PM
- Tusker FC vs AFC Leopards – Nyayo Stadium – 4pm