Ulinzi Stars bagged home the Forces Derby bragging rights as they ended their five-game winless run in style after edging ten-man Kenya Police 1-0 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Friday 18 April.
While Ulinzi returned to winning ways and managed to relieve the growing relegation fears, Police were left to rue missed chances and the result, which certainly left a dent on their title hopes.
The law enforcers had hoped to secure maximum points and cross the 50-point mark as well as go four clear at the top, but Ulinzi had other thoughts.
Prior to the match, Ulinzi had not won a league game since 15 February and was winless since relocating home matches to the Lang’ata facility. It was a busy half for both goalkeepers, with Job Ochieng being the busiest courtesy of the missiles launched his way by the soldiers.
Ochieng, standing tall in the Police goal, put his palms on the line on a number of occasions to stop Ulinzi from ensuring their long spell of dominance counted before the half time whistle.
Loss of concentration by the Police back line allowed Ochieng to sneak the ball to Mutheli on the right, with the winger out pacing his marker to lay the ball to Muchiri, who netted his third goal of the season.
Despite bringing in fresh legs, Police appeared to struggle in the final third, as they did little to trouble the Ulinzi back line let alone testing Emuria.
Ulinzi, on the other hand, were disciplined when in possession and managed the game to ultimately secure their seventh win of the season.
Police were forced to play the final three minutes of the game with a man less after Baraka Badi was sent off for a second bookable offence.
The right back had his name taken in the 35th minute with a late challenge on Leshan Mootian in injury time sealing his fate.
