- Police beat Ulinzi 2-0 at the Police Sacco Stadium
- It was their first ever win over Ulinzi
- The victory took them to ninth in the standings
Kenya Police FC clinched their first ever victory over Ulinzi Stars in the FKF Premier League after beating them 2-0 at the Police Sacco Grounds. Francis Kahata and Abud Omar scored the goals for Police, who clinched a massive morale boosting victory in the uniformed forces derby.
In four previous league meetings between the two sides, all matches had ended in draws while Ulinzi’s only victory over Police was during the quarter finals of the FKF Cup last season when they won 2-1.
It was a huge victory for police, not only for bragging rights, but in their bid to scale up the standings. They had been on a run of four winless matches, but the victory hoisted them to ninth and revived their hopes of catching up with the leading pack.
“We played really well and I think we controlled many aspects of the game. In the second half we changed a few tactical things and that worked for us. Slowly by slowly I think we are becoming a better team,” said Police FC coach Zdravko Logarusic.
He added; “We should not be satisfied by this because there is still a lot to work on. We still need to be faster and sharper in attack and we need to be more ruthless in how we dominate games.”
His opposite number Anthony Kimani was not happy with the performance from his team and wants to see an improvement.
Not at our best
Francis Kahata of Kenya Police (right) battles for the ball with Ibrahim Shambi of Ulinzi Stars.
“We were not at our best. We couldn’t control the game like we have done in the past and offensively we didn’t click. I think we have many lessons to learn from this game to make us better. Of course anyone always wants to win a derby and we are sorry we couldn’t. We will bounce back stronger from this,” stated the former Kenyan international.
Police were the better side on the day and had most of the chances in the opening minutes. They won a freekick from distance and South Sudanese international Rashid Toha stood behind it, sending a stinging effort that was turned behind by the Ulinzi goalie.
The home side continued to dominate and they were denied by the post minutes later, this time Clinton Kinanga’s touch at the near post coming off the upright after a brilliant cross from David Owino.
The latter, who has been redeployed to midfield by Logarusic from his usual left back position should have scored close to halftime when he made a good run into the box from a cross on the left, but his effort was saved pointblank by the keeper.
Ulinzi struggled to create many clear cut chances, with their main striker Boniface Muchiri kept at bay with close marking. His closest effort at goal was off a freekick that did little to worry keeper Patrick Matasi.
Police come off better in the second half
Glen Odhiambo of Ulinzi Stars wins the ball ahead of Kenya Police striker Tito Okello
In the second half, Police were better and pressed Ulinzi in their own half. They broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when Francis Kahata’s block on a Faraj Ominde clearance dropped into the net from the edge of the box.
It was a fortunate goal, but much deserved by Police after asking most of the questions throughout the game.
The goal gave Police some much needed confidence and they dominated more of the play, eventually doubling their advantage in the 71st minute. Left back Omar curled in a brilliant freekick leaving keeper Stephen Ochieng with no chance.
With a 2-0 lead, Police were comfortable, but keeper Matasi was almost caught out by midfielder Benson Magige when the latter saw him yards off his line and tried to clip the ball from midway through but luckily for the Police shotstopper, the ball bounced wide.
With Police moving ninth, Ulinzi dropped to 11th with 13 points after 10 matches
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