Ulinzi Stars coach reveals key message behind crucial victory over Mathare United
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 25.05.26. | 16:28
Ulinzi now sits on 35 points, just one above Kariobangi Sharks, who currently occupy the final relegation slot with 34 points, as both teams still have a game in hand
Ulinzi Stars breathed fresh life into their FKF Premier League survival hopes after grinding out a crucial 2-1 victory over Mathare United on Saturday to move out of the relegation zone.
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The hard-fought win lifted the Soldiers to 15th place on the table, easing pressure on the 2010 league champions who had spent recent weeks staring at the possibility of relegation.
With only two matches left before the curtain falls on the campaign, belief is slowly returning to the military side, and assistant coach Mohammed 'Rio' Hassan believes the fight to survive is now firmly in their hands.
“The game was not easy. We planned to get an early goal, but we were not successful in the first half. We managed to come back strongly in the second half and get the result we wanted,” said Rio after the game.
The tactician admitted the result could be a season-defining one as Ulinzi continues battling to preserve their top-flight status.
“This win means a lot to us because we are fighting not to be relegated. I told the players to play for the badge and forget whether they are civilians or soldiers. What matters is fighting for the badge,” he added.
The former Kenya Navy gaffer also shifted focus to Wednesday’s tough assignment against Tusker FC, noting that the Soldiers must quickly regroup and maintain the same intensity as the relegation battle heads into the final stretch.
“We have another tough match on Wednesday against Tusker, and we hope to approach it differently,” he said.
The assistant coach further hailed his players for their determination and composure under pressure, praising the character shown in a must-win encounter.
Ulinzi now sits on 35 points, just one above Kariobangi Sharks, who currently occupy the final relegation slot with 34 points, as both teams still have a game in hand.
The Soldiers will next face Tusker before ending their season against fellow relegation battlers Posta Rangers in what could turn into a high-stakes survival clash.
Kariobangi Sharks, whose results could directly affect Ulinzi’s fate, will take on Kenya Police in their postponed fixture on Wednesday before closing the season against already relegated Sofapaka.
Preparing for Tusker on Wednesday at USCL👊#GBUS pic.twitter.com/YdU4HGcptZ
— Ulinzi Stars FC (@UlinziStarsFC) May 25, 2026
Mathare United, meanwhile, will host Bandari on the final day in another fixture expected to shape the outcome of the tense relegation dogfight.