KCB FC clinched a dramatic 2–1 win over Ulinzi Stars in a fiercely contested Sportpesa Premier League match on Thursday, December 11, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Stephen Etyang and Jack Ong’anya struck in either half to hand the Bankers a vital victory, cancelling out Paul Odhiambo’s second-half leveller and securing KCB’s first back-to-back wins of the campaign.
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For Ulinzi Stars, still smarting from a narrow defeat to Tusker FC, the match offered a chance to steady their season. KCB, meanwhile, arrived on a five-match unbeaten streak and was eager to edge closer to the league summit.
Ulinzi carved out the early chances. In the ninth minute, Bildad Abonga came close with a towering header from a Boniface Muchiri delivery, missing by inches. Moments later, Paul Odhiambo and Telena Ochieng combined beautifully, forcing KCB keeper Arnold Monzobo into a smart intervention.
KCB responded in the 20th minute through Francis Khairo after slick link-up play with Richard Omondi, whose inventive back-heel created a gilt-edged chance, only for Khairo’s effort to flash wide.
Ulinzi looked threatening again when Ali Swaleh dazzled his way into space and whipped in a dangerous ball that required a desperate clearance from KCB skipper Nashon Alembi. Monzobo then claimed the resulting corner confidently.
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KCB grew into the contest and nearly broke the deadlock shortly after the half-hour mark, with Omondi’s thunderous effort forcing Ulinzi goalkeeper Sylviane Ricks into a brilliant full-stretch save.
Ten minutes before halftime, Odhiambo produced a moment of magic, gliding past Alembi and picking out Brian Okite, whose driven ball rolled across the face of the goal untouched.
But four minutes before the interval, KCB finally made their dominance count. Former Ulinzi forward Stephen Etyang pounced after Ricks parried his initial header, nodding home the rebound to give the Bankers a 1–0 halftime lead.
The second half picked up where the first left off. Three minutes after the restart, Muchiri stung Monzobo’s palms with a 25-yard free-kick, signalling Ulinzi’s renewed intent. Ocholla reacted early, bringing on Masuta Masita for Swaleh to sharpen his attack.
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KCB almost doubled their lead at the hour mark when December Kisalah beat his marker, only to be denied by a superb last-ditch block from Abonga.
Ulinzi’s pressure paid off in the 65th minute. A slick move involving Muchiri and Masita carved open the KCB backline, allowing the in-form Odhiambo to ghost in and coolly slot past Monzobo for the equaliser.
The Soldiers nearly completed the comeback in the 75th minute when Muchiri delivered a pinpoint cross to Masita, but Alembi again came to KCB’s rescue. Monzobo later denied Masita in the 80th minute with a sharp low save after another clever link-up with Muchiri.
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KCB produced a late sucker punch. With five minutes left, Jack Ong’anya rose highest to glance home a perfectly weighted corner from substitute Mathew Rodgers Angal, netting his debut goal and sealing all three points for the visitors.
The victory, KCB’s fifth of the season, lifts them to sixth place on 18 points, just two off the summit and level with Shabana FC and Tusker FC. It also extends their dominance over Ulinzi, marking their 11th win in 29 meetings and a third straight triumph in the fixture.
For Ulinzi Stars, the defeat is their second in a row and fourth under Ocholla, leaving the 2010 champions languishing in the 11th position with 13 points.
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