Enosh Ochieng's brace downs Nairobi City Stars

Second-half substitute Enosh Ochieng netted a brace within three minutes to inspire Ulinzi Stars to a 2-0 win over Nairobi City Stars at the Kasarani Annex on Saturday. 

Ochieng who came in for Masita Masuta found the back of the net twice and against the run of play to help the four-time Kenyan league champions register the seventh win of the season. 

Despite the loss, City Stars head coach Nicholas Muyoti maintains that the team be a force to reckon with in the second leg.

"Difficult to take the result given that we played well. One thing I am sure is, we will not be relegated," he said.

Ulinzi assistant coach Abdallah Mohamed said they had spotted their opponent's weakness in the first half.

"We realised that were not good in defending set pieces and handling crosses. We capitalized on it and got two goals in quick succession," he said.

There was nothing to write home about the first half of the game as both teams lacked the creativity to make the few chances created count.

Both teams were superb in the build-ups but the lack of punch to poke holes in the defence and test the goalkeepers made what was supposed to bag a lively contest dull. 

The best and clearest of all chances in the game fell in the way of Oliver Maloba in the 26th minute when he was put through by Ezekiel Odera but the attacking midfielder shot straight to the hands of Ricks Omondi. 

Maloba who was isolated in the box would have driven the ball to the farthest corner but casually tapped it to Omondi who had made himself big and consequently, blocked the ball. 

The halftime pep talk delivered by either coaches certainly changed things as the teams came out guns blazing in the second half but still, taking chances worked against the plan of breaking the deadlock. 

Omondi pulled two decent saves in the 56th and 63rd minutes of the game to deny Kelvin Etemesi and Ezekiel Odera in one on one occasion. 

City Stars who looked slightly better in the second half created clear-cut chances but Omondi, once again proved why he was getting the nod ahead of the other experienced custodians. 

City Stars were made to pay for the chances as Enosh Ochieng reacted quickest to poke home the ball in the 75th minute to give Ulinzi the lead. 

Three minutes later, Ochieng who had replaced Masita Masuta sealed his brace, firing the ball from close range to beat Jacob Osano who failed to cover himself up in glory. 

Ulinzi took full control of the game after netting the two goals and would dominate upto to the final whistle.

Kakamega Homeboyz after Shikalo's signature

Nairobi City Stars 

Jacob Osano, Dennis Wanjala, Herit Mungai, Kennedy Onyango, Newton Ochieng, Edwin Buliba, Clifford Ouma, Andrew Kisilu, Kelvin Etemesi (Daniel Odhiambo 85) Ezekiel Odera, Oliver Maloba (Vincent Otieno 85)

Unused substitutes 

Elvis Ochoro, Timothy Muganda, Elly Osotsi,Calvins Masawa, Stephen Njung'e,

Ulinzi Stars 

Ricks Omondi, Brian Birgen, Peter Glen, Omar Mbongi, Bonventure Muchika, Bernard Ongoma, Staphod Odhiambo, Boniface Muchiri, Hillary Simiyu, Masita Masuta (Enosh Ochieng 70),Stephen Etyang( Clinton Omondi 70)

Unused substitutes 

James Saruni, Jacob Onyango, Elvis Nandwa, Alex Masinde, Elly Saenyi, Kelvin Thairu, Shannel Makwata