Muhoroni Youth hold Ulinzi to barren stalemate

Muhoroni Youth custodian Farouk Shikhalo emerged the hero as his side held Ulinzi Stars to a barren draw in the first leg of the KPL top 8 semi finals at the Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.

Shikhalo had superb saves including stopping Kevin Amwayi’s penalty kick ealry in the first half.

Muhoroni came close in the fifth minute; skipper Francis Ocholla shooting slightly over the bar after Sammy Ndung’u’s corner.

Shikhalo then denied Amwayi from the spot punching the ball out before Yusuf Mohammed cleared in the 19 th minute, after he had conceded à foul in the box.

Two minutes later Daniel Waweru rattled the woodwork with a thunderous shot with Shikhalo well beaten, as the soldiers fought hard to redeem the lost chance.

Ulinzi threatened more with Enosh Ochieng hitting the post again three minutes past the half hour mark, before Ndung’u missed on the opposite end after Moses Arita releasing him in a quick counter attack move.

Just before the break, Omar Mbongi won a free kick at the edge of Muhoroni’s box but Waweru failed to deliver in his indirect combination with Amwayi.

The first half ended both teams locked at 0-0 despite Robert Matano’s charges creating several clear cut opportunities.

Ulinzi resumed with more purposeful attacks, Ochieng, Amwayi and returning Stephen Waruru, who last fetured for Ulinzi in 2015 all menacing in the first 10 of the second half.

Muhoroni coach Tom Juma rested Demonde Selenga for former Posta Rangers Andrew Sekayombia as Matano bought on Vincent Ochieng for Enosh Ochieng.

Captain Ocholla then paved way for Abdalla Hamisi whose immediate impact was felt, setting up Sekayombia outside the box to unleash a powerful shot only to slide on the side of the net.

No breakthrough would come though, and the finalist will be determined in the second leg to be played in a date yet to be announced.

By Jacob Icia