Ulinzi strike late to send Ingwe packing in KPL Top 8 thriller

Super sub Enock Ochieng scored a dramatic extra time winner as Ulinzi Stars beat AFC leopards 3-2 in a thrilling Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Top 8 encounter played at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Talisman John Makwatta and Clifton Miheso grabbed a brace each as the Military Men got the better of Ingwe for the second time in less than ten days.

There tie looked set for an even more dramatic finish as Lamine Diallo had a goal disallowed in the last minute of play after the forward was flagged offside.

“Lamine’s goal was not offside, it was a one-two. Some referees need to be taken back to school,” Leopards Head Coach Ivan Minnaert told Citizen Digital.

A costly misunderstanding between Leopards custodian Lucas Indeche and his defenders allowed Ulinzi to take the lead in the sixth minute through Makwatta.
Minnaert’s side responded with three quick shots on target with Hedmond Mauda, Kepha Aswani and Allan Kateregga all coming close to grabbing the equalizer.

Ugandan Allan Kateregga wasted a pinpoint cross from the pacey Miheso in the 23rd minute before Kepha Aswani failed to convert yet another Miheso delivery from only six yards out.

Makwatta spurned the chance to double the lead as Indeche thwarted his effort from one on one situation and was almost made to pay on the other end but brilliant goalkeeping from James Saruni ensured their lead remained intact before the break.

Miheso restored parity seven minutes into the second half, collecting a loose ball and dribbling past Geoffrey Kokoyo before quickly shifting the ball to his favoured left foot before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Saruni.

The former Vaasan Palloseura (VPS) player continued his devastating form netting a second as Ingwe took a short-lived lead.

Makwatta pulled Ulinzi level from a 79th minute thunderbolt before Ochieng’s last gasp goal bundled Leopards out of the tournament.

Matano’s side now joins Tusker FC – who beat Bandari FC 2-1 earlier on Sunday – in the last four of the competition.