Kenya/Congo-Kinshasa: Congo United Bow to Ulinzi Stars at Home

Abdulrahman Sheriff and James Minudi

19 March 2011

Nairobi — Defending champions Ulinzi Stars put up a good first-half performance to return home with maximum three points when they beat Congo United 2-1 in a thrilling Kenyan Premier League match at Mbaraki Sports Club on Saturday.

At Chemelil Sugar Sports Complex, former champions Tusker FC added three crucial points after thrashing Chemelil Sugar FC 3-0 in another very entertaining KPL match.

The military side began the match on a high note and deservedly took the lead in the eighth minute when Anthony Nderitu took a corner which was collected by Mohammed Hussein then passed the ball to Mike Baraza who unleashed a powerful shot into the far corner of the net.

The visitors piled up the pressure and managed to secure their second goal when Hussein made another perfect pass to Stephen Ochola, who sent in a cracking shot past the helpless Congo goalie Evans Omondi.

Congo came in the second half more organised. The inclusion of Amon Mwamburi and Silvester Odhiambo in place of Hussein Mohammed Chembet and Andrew Ongwae helped Congo to make dangerous attacks from time and again.

Once again, Coast soccer fans complained as to why Congo United skipper Ramadhan Athman Mbuggus had yet been included in the national team, Harambee Stars, especially after the way he played against Ulinzi and emerged the man of the match.

Mbuggus was the maker of his team’s goal in the 56th minute when his free kick found Lazaro Simba making a diving header as Ulinzi custodian Jacktone Odhiambo watching the ball finding its way into the net.

Congo continued to attack but poor finishing by their strikers was their undoing. With two minutes to the final whistle, fans shouted at one of the linesman who flagged offside a player who was about to score.

The situation would have become worse had the Congo technical bench, led by technical director Aref Baghazally, not stood up and persuaded their supporters to keep the peace.

The match was televised live by pay television channel SuperSport.

Overlapped all defenders

On Sunday, Bandari FC takes on City Stars at the same venue in another match also to be televised live.

Denis Mkaisi scored the opening goal for Tusker in the 5th minute after he got a cross from Noah Abich, who joined the team recently from Sony Sugar FC.

In the 10th minute, George Midenyo scored the second after overlapping all the Chemelil defenders. Midenyo added the third goal in the 36th minute.

Tusker coach Sammy Omolo said he was happy with the result and that they were just going to prepare for their next match against 2009 champions Sofapaka.

AllAfrica – All the Time