Rangers hand Ulinzi first defeat, Thika rise in Chemelil

Joseph Mbugi’s strike for newly promoted Posta Rangers was enough to hand 2010 champions Ulinzi Stars 1-0, their first defeat of the season in an exciting SportPesa Premier League clash at the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.

Elsewhere, James Nandwa’s Thika United recorded a first win of the season at Chemelil Sugar with Raymond Omondi’s 74th minute winner hauling the milkmen up to 14th on the log three points below their opponents who are a position above them on the log.

Muhoroni Youth stunned title-chasing Bandari FC 1-0 at home with Wycliffe Ochomo keeping the Golden Boot chase on with the all decisive strike in the 67th for his sixth of the season with both games in the sugar belt kicking-off early to avoid afternoon showers.

Bandari dropped to sixth with 12 with Muhoroni climbing to seventh with the same tally following the game.

In Nyayo, Posta skipper Joakins Atudo almost scored with a long range shot from the left after combining well with Joe Nyaga, but his opposite number and keeper James Saruni denied with the save.

Ulinzi got a real chance when Omar Mbongi found their lethal forward John Mark Makwatta who shot powerfully just outside the box but the mailmen’s custodian Patrick Matasi kept his side level with a good stop.

On loan Gor Mahia striker Timothy Otieno was a thorn in the soldiers’ flesh and he worked Saruni on a few occasions with Ulinzi boss Robert Matano being forced to bring on Boniface Onyango in place of Eric Apul who was injured in the mid first half.

In the 35th Saruni handled a back pass from left back Abdallah Hamisi to concede an indirect free kick inside the box that saw Atudo blast the ball onto the post as Ulinzi survived.

In the first minute of the two added at the end of the opening period Posta took the lead when Mbugi converted from the spot to make it after the lively Otieno was fouled inside the box, sending Saruni the wrong way.

Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno’s boys came charged from the breather with Otieno and Edwin Mwaura coming close soon after the restart.

Realizing the need for more stability in midfield Matano brought on Sylus Shitote for John Nairuka before introducing Enosh Ochieng for Makwatta in the 79th but the military side could not fashion an equaliser.

Rangers moved up to fourth with 13 points following the victory above Ulinzi who slid down a place below with the same tally but an inferior goal difference as the soldiers missed the chance to stay a point off the lead.