Bidco, City Stars progress into Elite Pre-Season tourney semi

• City Stars came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Ulinzi
• Bidco beat Sofapaka 2-0
• Ulinzi and Sofapaka await results from Tuesday’s final round of group matches

Bidco United and Nairobi City Stars have both progressed to the semi-final of the eight-team Elite Pre-Season tournament after their last round of group matches on Monday.

Bidco were 2-0 winners over Sofapaka to pick their second consecutive win and move to six points and assured themselves of a top two slot. Meanwhile, City Stars came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Ulinzi Stars, and also assure themselves of a top two slot after attaining five points.

City Stars were trailing 2-0 until the 89^th minute when they scored two added time goals, to snatch victory out of Ulinzi’s arms. With a win, the military side would have assured themselves of a slot in the semis.

“In the previous games, we have been coming from down to win but now, we have found ourselves on the receiving end. It is a lesson for us. Of course we were not very much looking at results in this tournament but my target was to see my team and see where we need to improve,” said Ulinzi coach Bernard Mwalala, who was just recently appointed.

Remarkable comeback for City Stars

Action between Ulinzi Stars and City Stars

For City Stars, it was a remarkable comeback. Left back Herrit Mungai started the incredible response with a brilliant goal at the stroke of 90 minutes, firing an unstoppable shot from almost 40 yards out to halve the deficit.

The goal injected some fight into the side as they pushed hard for the equalizer that would assure them of a slot in the semis. And they fought on, getting the much needed equalizer in the last minute of added time through Peter Opiyo.

The midfielder stretched in to direct the ball beyond James Saruni, picking up a cross from the right by Timothy Noor and break Ulinzi’s hearts.

The soldiers had been more efficient infront of goal and broke the deadlock in the 20^th minute through Clinton Omondi. A defensive error saw the winger pick the ball on the left and he planted it into the top left corner with a brilliant strike.

In the second half, they added the second through new signing Boniface Muchiri who volleyed the ball home from inside the box after Masita Masuta flicked back a long throw from Shannel Makwatta.

Muchiri almost scored a second in simikar fashion, but this time the effort went just wide.

Bidco stun Sofapaka

Samuel Ndungu of Bidco controls the ball under pressure from Sofapaka’s Akola.

Meanwhile in the early kick off, Bidco put up a brilliant performance to see off Sofapaka 2-0 and progress to the semis. Samwel Ndungu and Ezekiel Okare scored in either half for the Thika-based team.

Ndungu broke the deadlock after just three minutes when he picked up the ball inside the box before slamming a powerful shot beyond the keeper. Sofapaka would have equalized four minutes later when Baron Oketch went through on goal, but his low effort was saved by the keeper.

Peter Nzuki also had a chance for Bidco with a well taken freekick but it was parried away for a corner by the keeper.

In the second half Sofapaka started with determination to get back into contention but couldn’t get a goal. It was Bidco who would get in the scoresheet, this time Okare racing into the box to slam past his former employers.