- Ulinzi have won only twice in 10 games
- They are five points away from the relegation zone
- Rivals Police Fc are unbeaten in 2024
Ulinzi Stars head coach Anthony Kimani says he is confident the team will rake up a top half finish in the FKF Premier League, despite a recent slump that has seen them drop to 12th in the standings.
The military side has won only twice over the last 10 games, and are struggling to keep their feet above the ground. With 11 rounds of matches left, they are only five points adrift of the red zone.
“It is definitely worrying but I am confident that we can improve. We have been playing well and only lacking in a few areas which I believe we can work on. We are quite blunt in our striking line and that is one of the things I believe have been slowing us down,” Kimani said.
The tactician took charge of the team at the start of the campaign after his predecessor Bernard Mwalala left, but has not quite been able to hoist them to a better place on the standings.
“The mentality of the players is right and we can’t question that. It is just about getting the finer details of our game going and from then we will see improved results. For the rest of the season, every game for us is like a final,” noted the coach.
He also hopes that star striker Boniface Muchiri will be back to full fitness after picking up an injury in their match against Police FC this week. Muchiri has just returned to action from another month-long lay off.
“Of course for him it is a bit tough because you come back from a long term injury and then pick another one. He is a very important player for us and missing him is a big blow. Hopefully the injury is not so serious and he will be back to help us for the remaining games,” the coach added.
Ulinzi blunt in the game against Police FC
Police FC defender Abud Omar in action against Ulinzi’s John Kago
Against Police, Ulinzi were a bit blunt and Muchiri’s absence was hugely visible especially when he couldn’t be back in the second half. In the opening half, he had threatened once with a freekick and another with a long range effort, but couldn’t get a goal for his side.
In the second half, Ulinzi had some few chances as well, substitute Odhiambo heading just wide from close range after a well weighted delivery into the box.
Their best effort was off a brilliantly struck freekick from another substitute, Leshan Mootian, whose curling effort took an awkward bounce infront of keeper Patrick Matasi, but he managed some good reflex to keep it out.
In the ‘Afande derby’ Police also had some good chances to score, despite the game being tightly contested. Tito Okello had some of the best for them. In the first half, he had two shots saved by keeper Mike Wanyika while at the death, he saw another venomous strike pushed to the crossbar by the shot stopper.
Police coach Babu happy with point at Ulinzi
Kenya Police FC defender Yussuf Mainge tries to pass the ball under pressure from Ulinzi’s Boniface Muchiri
Police head coach Salim Babu was pleased with the performance and the point, which saw them remain fifth in the standings with 38 points, 12 behind leaders Gor Mahia.
“For us this is a good point gained because it was a really tough match. I feel we had some phases of the game where we played very well, but there are some which we need to polish on. But overall, for me, this is a satisfactory result,” the coach noted.
Police have been on a good run since Babu took charge. The former Nzoia Sugar tactician was handed over the job after his predecessor, Zdravko Logarusic was fired and he says the difference has just been an issue of mentality.
He believes the team will finish the season strongly, and despite a huge gap existing between them and Gor, they will put in an effort to ensure they give them a run till the final game.
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