KCB seal smash and grab victory over Ulinzi to re-enter tight title race

KCB FC left it late to secure a dramatic 2–1 victory over Ulinzi Stars in a closely fought FKF Premier League match week 13 encounter on Thursday, 11 December, at the Ulinzi Complex.

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Goals in either half from Stephen Etyang and Jack Ong’anya cancelled out Paul Odhiambo’s second-half equaliser, handing Robert Matano’s charges a crucial win and their first back-to-back victory of the campaign.

For Ulinzi Stars, coming from a narrow defeat to Tusker FC and eager to reignite their momentum, the match presented an opportunity to bounce back immediately.

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KCB, meanwhile, arrived at Ulinzi Complex on a five-match unbeaten run, determined to climb closer to the league summit and record consecutive wins for the first time this season.

With the added subplot of master versus protégé, Matano up against his former player and now Ulinzi coach Stephen Ocholla, the match lived up to its fiery billing from the very first whistle.

Ulinzi carved out the first clear opening in the ninth minute when the impressive Bildad Abonga rose highest to meet Boniface Muchiri’s well-curled delivery, but his header agonisingly drifted inches wide.

Three minutes later, the Soldiers stitched together another promising attacking move as Paul Odhiambo combined neatly with Telena Ochieng, whose dangerous ball across the face of goal forced KCB goalkeeper Arnold Monzobo into a quick intervention.

KCB responded in the 20th minute through Francis Khairo, who linked up brilliantly with Richard Omondi.

Omondi’s clever back-heel laid the chance on a plate, but Khairo’s effort flashed just past the upright.

Ulinzi nearly broke the deadlock five minutes later through Ali Swaleh, whose dazzling footwork created space before he whipped a teasing delivery that required a desperate clearance from skipper Nashon Alembi.

From the resulting corner, Monzobo stood firm to collect confidently.

The visitors grew into the contest and almost took the lead shortly after the half-hour mark.

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Omondi’s powerful connection to a Jack Ong’anya pass forced Ulinzi goalkeeper Sylviane Ricks into a brilliant full-stretch save.

Ulinzi pushed back, and ten minutes before the interval, Odhiambo produced a moment of brilliance, gliding past Alembi before feeding Brian Okite, whose driven ball across goal rolled untouched and out of play.

Four minutes to halftime, KCB finally found the breakthrough.

Former Ulinzi attacker Stephen Etyang, perfectly picked out by Fadhili Masoud, saw his initial header pushed out by Ricks but reacted quickest to nod home the rebound, putting the Bankers 1–0 up at the break.

The second stanza began in the same end-to-end fashion as the closing stages of the first half.

In the 48th minute, Muchiri forced Monzobo into a full-stretch save from a 25-yard free-kick, signalling Ulinzi’s intent.

Coach Ocholla made an early tactical adjustment, bringing on Masuta Masita for Ali Swaleh to inject more attacking presence.

KCB nearly doubled their advantage at the hour mark through December Kisalah, who beat his marker but was denied by a superb last-ditch block from Abonga.

The Soldiers kept pushing, and their efforts were rewarded in the 65th minute.

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A flowing move involving Muchiri and Masita opened up KCB’s defence, allowing Paul Odhiambo, in fine scoring form, to time his run perfectly and slot calmly past Monzobo to make it 1–1.

With momentum on their side, Ulinzi came close again in the 75th minute when Muchiri delivered a sumptuous cross that Masita met well, only for Alembi to intervene with a crucial block.

Ten minutes from time, Monzobo denied Masita once more, reacting sharply to parry away a dangerous low effort after another combination with Muchiri.

Just when the match seemed destined for a draw, KCB struck late.

With five minutes left on the clock, Jack Ong’anya rose highest to glance home, a perfectly weighted corner from substitute Mathew Rodgers Angal, his debut goal for the Bankers, restoring KCB’s lead and ultimately sealing all three points.

The win, KCB’s fifth of the season, lifts the Bankers to sixth place on 18 points, just two shy of the summit and level with Shabana FC and Tusker FC.

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It also extended their dominance over Ulinzi Stars, marking their 11th win in 29 meetings and their third consecutive victory in this fixture dating back to last season.

For Ulinzi, the loss marks a second straight defeat and the fourth overall under Ocholla since his appointment, leaving the 2010 champions stuck outside the top half.