Ulinzi knock out Sony in Top 8 semis

When Ulinzi Stars meet Sony Sugar Tuesday at the Nyayo National Stadium in the second leg of semi finals of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Top 8 tournament, the soldiers will be hoping to make the most of the away goal they scored in the first leg.

The military side’s coach Sammy Simiyu is confident that his men have the firepower to shoot down the sugar millers and book their ticket to the finals.

“My players are in great shape and we hope to overcome the opposition. We have to beat Sony first before we start thinking of the finals”, Simiyu said.

Last week, the two teams battled to a 1-1 draw at the Moi International Centre, Kasarani.

Sony coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno concurred with Simiyu saying that the soldiers have a slight advantage over his men.

“Ulinzi have an advantage over us on the simple basis of the away goal that they scored in the first leg, but we have prepared for the match and we are looking towards an exciting game”, Zico said.

The winner between Ulinzi and Sony will book a finals date with either Gor Mahia or Tusker with a prize money of Sh 1 million at stake. Gor will meet Tusker on Thursday in the second leg of the other semis.

K’Ogalo holds a one-goal cushion going into the match after beating the brewers 1-0 in the first match. Ulinzi are the cup holders having beaten Western Stima 2-1 to win the inaugural edition of the tournament last year.

Meanwhile, Gor will face tough customers Western Stima in the pre-quarters of the President’s Cup. Gor, who are the title holders, breezed past Borabu Chiefs 5-2 0n Sunday to book a date with Stima. KPL title hopefuls and league leaders, AFC Leopards, will meet Nationwide side Congo United in another pre-quarters match.

Ingwe blanked Mathare United 2-0 on Saturday, while Congo earned their berth in the last 16 after dispatching Isilolo FC 3-1. 2010 champions Sofapaka have been drawn against Division Two side Mahakama.

Sofapaka are fresh from a 3-0 drabbing of Ulinzi Stars while Makahama hit Longonot 3-1 to guarantee their passage. Karuturi Sports, 4-0 conquerors of Nairobi Nakumatt, have a date with Nationwide side Nairobi Stima.

Gor coach Zdravko Logarusic said he is aiming to win the coveted title to have a chance of representing the county in the Caf Confederations Cup next year.

“We are treating the match competition because it gives us a chance to defend the title”, Logarusic said.

Nesta Kizito

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