GOtv Shield: Ulinzi, Stima cruise to quarters

Western Stima thrashed AFC Leopards 3-0 to cruise to the quarter finals of the GOtv Shield in a match played at Kisumu’s Moi Stadium on Saturday, 27.

Stima took an early lead, with Wesley Kemboi opening the scoring in the17th minute, before Kennedy Otieno doubled the lead 12 minutes later with Kemboi turning provider. The former Thika United striker rounded off the scoring with a brace in the 64th minute.

“We thank God for the win, we prayed for it and He has given it to us. We managed to kill off the match by scoring two quick goals in the first half and from there we confidently took control of the match,” Stima Head Coach, Henry Omino, told Citizen Digital.

His opposite compatriot, Ingwe Head Coach Ivan Minnaert whose position at the helm of the club has come under scrutiny following an unconvincing run of results could not explain the loss, and suggesting drastic measures needed to be taken to get the club back on course.

Ingwe players recently staged a go-slow to protest unpaid transport and match allowances, with reports that the cash crisis had driven a wedge between players, technical staff and the executive.

“I have no comment, it is 100 percent unbelievable and a disappointment, we shall sit down and analyze on what is happening, “the frustrated Belgium said.

An unmarked Kemboi connected Brian Marita’s pinpoint cross from the right flank with a simple tap in, leaving Ingwe’s backline frustrated with their poor marking.

Stima maximized of their lapse in concentration, as Otieno headed in the second from a beautifully weighted Marita cross to make it 2-0 at the half hour mark.

Minnaert responded by bringing on Ugandan Allan Katarega and John Ndirangu for Yusuf Suf and Jack Kiyai after the break but the duo failed to inspire a comeback.

Otieno’s endless running paid off, as he capped off a brilliant afternoon with a brace with less than 30 minutes left to play. Once again, it was Leopards’ defensive lapses that were preyed on by Omino’s side.

In Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium, former Mathare Youth striker Enos Ochieng was the hero for Ulinzi FC as he thrice got the better of Chemilil Sugar FC’s custodian to guide his side to a comfortable 3-1 win.