Ingwe thrash hapless Ulinzi Stars at the Complex

AFC Leopards continued their recent dominance on the road over Ulinzi Stars, beating them 2-0 at Ulinzi Sports Complex in the opening match of the 2022/2023 FKFPL campaign.

It was the first game for coach Benard Mwalala in charge of the Soldiers and the former Kakamega Homeboyz picked positives from the match.

"Although we have lost the game, there are many things that I will take home with me and we will look at them before our next game next weekend," Mwalala offered.

His counterpart Patrick Aussems was over the moon for the good display by the players present to win their opening match.

"When you have to play without ten of your players, it is difficult. But I trust all my players and those that played today did well," he noted.

Kingsley Ojo Fansanmi opened the scoring after just 90 seconds in the match. Eugene Mukangula played a defense-splitting pass to Ojo who slotted the ball past Stephen Ochieng for the opener.

The goal caught the soldiers unaware, but their rigid midfield made up of defensive minded players could not feed the sleek attack, and they had to rely on longballs mostly.

Enosh Ochieng had his fair chances in the game, including a long range shot towards the end of the firts half.

The spectators came in huge numbers, and not only were they enjoy a game of football but also an airshow courtesy of small planes passing over the complex as they made their way to Wilson Airport.

Second half

Upon resumption, Mwalala made two changes as he sought to inject more pace in his side, introducing Elly Saenyi and Masita Masuta for Stephen Etyang and Jacob Onyango.

However, it was Ingwe who hit again first as the Nigerian Kingsley Ojo scored his second of the match from the spot. Maxwell Otieno dashed towards goal but was hacked down in the box prompting the referee to award a penalty. Ojo stepped up and blasted the ball into the net to make it 2-0.

Leopards continued to dominate play after the second goal, knocking the ball around at ease.

Ingwe made their first change after 68 minutes, with Bonface Mukhekhe coming on for Asad Musa moments after Ulinzi had introduced Henry Simiyu for Enosh Ochieng.

Simiyu's introduction into the match increased Ulinzi's attacking threats but they could not find the net still. In some instances, they were not clinical enough, in others Opiyo and his backline stood firm to deny the attackers.

In the second minute of stoppage time, Masita Masuta almost pulled one back but Robert Mudenyu produced an overhead goalline clearance to deny the soldiers and protect Ingwe's two-goal lead.

Ulinzi Stars starting XI: Stephen Ochieng, Brian Birgen, Bonventure Muchika, Bonface Andai, Omar Mbongi, Francis Omondi, Benard Ongoma, Jacob Onyango (Masita Masuta 46'), Stephen Etyiang (Elly Saenyi 46'), Enosh Ochieng (Hillary Simiyu 65'), Boniface Muchiri

Unused subs: Sylvaine Omondi, Swaleh Chacha, Shannel Makwata, John Kago, Clinton Omondi, Staphod Odhiambo

AFC Leopards Starting XI: Levis Opiyo, Peter Thiong'o Lewis Bandi, Robert Mudenyu, Washington Munene, Moses Lukhumwa, Brian Wanyama, Eugene Mukangula, Maxwel Otieno, Asad Musa (Bonface Mukhekhe 68'), Kingsley Fansanmi

Unused subs: Maxwell Mulili, Zacharia Ochieng', Erick Mbithi, Owen Mboya, Collins Shivachi, Kayci Odhiambo