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Oscar Paul's goal in the dying minutes of the match was enough to give Kakamega Homeboyz all the three points at Ulinzi Stars' expense.
Oscar Paul was the hero as Kakamega Homeboyz overcame Ulinzi Stars in the dying minutes of an FKFPL match played at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon.
After a tight first 10 minutes, Kakamega Homeboyz had a good chance to go ahead when number Ambrose Sifuna found himself inside the box before releasing a cross-cum shot from the byline that forced Ulinzi Stars custodian Stephen Ochieng into making a save.
He nearly repeated the trick moments later but was denied yet again.
After an edgy few minutes, the game then started to become end-to-end. First was a chance for Kakamega Homeboyz when Sifuna found Moses Shummah with a great cross, but the Kenya international’s attempted overhead kick went mistimed.
From the turnover of possession Ulinzi executed a slick passing move before Boniface Muchiri received the ball on the edge of the area but Homeboyz left back Farouk Musisi made a timely interception to deny him a chance to really make amends.
In the 39th minute, Homeboyz thought they had gone ahead when number Francis Omondi headed the ball into the back of the net, but was ruled out for offside.
Both sides went into the break still level. Ulinzi coach Anthony Kimani opted to bring on creative playmaker Ben Stanley in efforts to put his side into the lead.
Stanley could have scored a worldie moments later when he attempted a left footed shot from outside the box, but the ball went just over James Ssetuba’s post.
A few minutes later, another potential worldie Homeboyz’ way went wide of the post when Shummah attempted an exquisite left footed shot on the edge of the box, denying him a chance to score his sixth goal of the season.
In the 60th minute, Stephen Opoku received the ball down the right flank before cutting inside well and attempting a left footed shot at Ochieng’s goal, forcing him into making yet another excellent save.
Ulinzi then had a rare second half chance to go ahead in the 66th minute. Benjamin Murimi drifted inside before executing a defence-splitting pass onto the path of the overlapping Shannel Makwatta, but Enosh Ochieng could not get on the end of his resultant cross into the area.
Shummah, who had been a handful for the Ulinzi defenders all afternoon with his back to goal play, then missed a good opportunity when he headed another Sifuna cross from the right wide.
The Soldiers would then win a freekick outside the area which Makwatta attempted but sailed wide of the far post in the 70th minute.
In the closing stages of the match, substitute Oscar Paul finally gave the visitors the lead when he pounced on Erick Masinza’s flicked ball to give them what proved to be all three points, shushing the Soldiers’ faithful.
The result now means that the FKF Cup holders Kakamega Homeboyz climb to 20 points, while Ulinzi Stars remain on 12 points.
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