Three of the four matches on cards on Wednesday in the FKF Premier League ended in draws with the highlight being the much billed ‘Afande Derby’ between army side Ulinzi Stars and Kenya Police at the Nyayo National Stadium.
FC Talanta was the day’s only winner, the Premier League newboys beating Nzoia Sugar 3-2 at their Sudi Stadium backyard in Bungoma.
Meanwhile in Nairobi, all eyes were on the Nyayo National Stadium where Police and Ulinzi were meeting for the first time in the league. The last time such a derby was played was during the 2011 season, between the army men and General Service Unit side Red Berets before their relegation.
The attendance at the stadium was impressive, especially after the social media wars that sparked off the interest all through the week.
On the pitch, it was a well contested affair with Police having most of the scoring opportunities especially in the first half.
Kenya Police striker Clinton Kinanga in action against Ulinzi Stars
Clinton Kinanga was the beneficiary of a few opening chances, first hitting the side netting with a shot from the right after 15 minutes before trying to cut back a ball from the left two minutes later. The striker was put through by Clifton Miheso, did well to go past James Saruni who had come speeding off his line.
However, his first touch took him wide and he was forced to try a cutback which was quickly cleared away.
Police were pushing for the opening goal and they came close in the 22dn minute only for Charles Ouma to crash the woodwork. Duke Abuya had done well to skip beyond Brian Birgen on the left before slitting down a low cross into the area.
They would hit the bar again three minutes from time when Duncan Otieno took on an effort from distance, but his low shot came against the upright.
Ulinzi were doing well going forward, but couldn’t be dangerous enough. They didn’t have a shot on target the entire half but the closest they came was via a header from Dabiel Waweru off Masita Masuta’s cross that went over.
Ulinzi Stars’ John Kago controls the ball under pressure from Kenya Police’s Charles Ouma
In the second half, Ulinzi were bright starters and Masuta attempted one at goal with a shot from the edge of the box but it couldn’t hit the target. In the 61st minute, substitute Oscar Wamalwa thought he had broken the deadlock when he chipped the ball over the keeper, but he was ruled out for offside.
Police tried to mount late pressure with former Ulinzi Stars man John Mark Makwatta being introduced for the final 20 minutes. However, even with their boss Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai on the stands, they couldn’t bag three points.
They had come close when Makwatta tried a shot from distance, but it was inches wide off target.
Meanwhile in other matches, Samuel Onyango scored an 87th minute penalty as Gor Mahia scraped a 1-1 draw with Bidco United. In the early kick off, Sofapaka and Kariobangi Sharks played to a goalless draw at the Utalii Complex.
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