FKFPL Ulinzi Stars shares spoils with Kenya Police in Disciplined Forces Derby

A goal in either half by both teams saw the hotly contested derby end in a draw.

Stephen Etyang’s freekick was enough for Ulinzi Stars to share the Disciplined Forces Derby bragging rights following a 1-1 draw against Kenya Police FC on Friday. 

Police came closest to scoring in the ninth minute when left-back Abud Omar delivered a dangerous cross near the byline towards striker Elvis Rupia, but his shot sailed over the bar.

The Law Enforcers continued being the side most likely to score first and they created yet another chance in the 14th minute, but Rupia still could not convert.

In the 21st minute, a well-constructed move by Police found Duke Abuya in a fine pocket of space where he had time and space to pick out a pass, but he went for the jugular.

In the 30th minute, a smartly taken set piece between Abuya and Clifton Miheso ended up with the latter hitting a floated cross towards Rupia, but he sailed yet another opportunity over the bar.

Rupia had yet another opportunity seconds later when he was through on goal, but he hit the shot across Sylvanne Omondi's goal.

Police's pressure finally paid off in the 32nd minute when Rupia finally found the net after getting on the end of a well-executed through ball by Duke Abuya, the former AFC Leopards forward netting his 22nd goal of the season.

Police started well in the second half and should have doubled their lead through Clifton Miheso when he found himself in acres of space cutting inside from the right flank on his favorite left foot, but the Kenyan international hit his shot over the bar.

Miheso nearly scored yet again moments later, this time when the ball landed on his feet inside the area, but his shot was hit straight into the palms of Sylvanne Omondi.

Ulinzi simply could not get going, and Miheso created another good opportunity in the 65th minute when he whipped in a dangerous cross from the byline, but Leslie Otieno hit the shot wide.

Miheso missed yet another chance two minutes later after a well-worked move inside the box resulted in the winger skying another shot wide over the mark

Things finally got going for the Soldiers, as a well-executed freekick by Steven Etyang in the 69th minute made an awkward bounce that keeper Job Ochieng’ could do nothing about.

Ulinzi got another freekick in a dangerous area five minutes later just outside the box but Etyang was not as lucky this time round,

The Soldiers started finding their grove. In the 75th minute, Etyang created yet another opportunity in the 76th minute when he hit an early inswing cross from the left wing towards striker Enosh Ochieng who headed it first time at goal, forcing Police custodian Job Ochieng into making a fantastic save.

Enosh had another chance to score moments later after confusion in the Police box forced their defenders to frantically clear the ball to safety.

The game quickly became end to end in the latter stages of the match with both sides countering each other at every possible opportunity, which made the game resemble a basketball clash.

A moment of drama between Rupia and Omar Mbongi in the dying minutes of the match epitomized Police's frustrations as they quickly realised that their hopes for the title were fading out. 

Line ups:

Kenya Police: Job Ochieng, Baraka Badi, Musa Mohammed, David Ochieng, Abud Omar, Marvine Nabwire,Clifton Miheso( Clifton Kinanga 83’), Lesley Otieno (Patilla Omotto 83’), Elvis Rupia, Francis Kahata (Alvin Mangeni 86’)

Ulinzi Stars: Omondi Sylvane, Salim Swaleh, Omar Mbongi,Boniface Andayi, Bonaventure Muchika (Peter Wafula 65’), Ongoma Benard, Steven Etyang, Rashid Lumumba. Enosh Ochieng (Masita Masuta 81’), Elvis Khandoro, Elves Saenyi