Ulinzi Stars Rally Past Sofapaka to Climb Out of Danger

Ulinzi Stars staged the kind of comeback that restores belief, heart and ambition, silencing Sofapaka 3–1 in a heated SportPesa Premier League showdown at the Kasarani Annex. It was a performance full of grit, discipline and renewed purpose exactly what the soldiers needed as they continue their climb away from the danger zone.

Sofapaka, under pressure to steady their campaign, struck first and early. Douglas Kibet pounced inside the seventh minute, smashing home a low effort after combining neatly with Joseph Kuloba. That opener sent Batoto Ba Mungu into full control of the early exchanges, and for a moment, Ulinzi looked rattled.

But the soldiers slowly found their rhythm. Their persistence paid off in the 25th minute when Masita Masuta, alert and composed, tucked in the equaliser — his first of the season. With that goal, Ulinzi grew in confidence, matching Sofapaka stride for stride as the first half closed level at 1–1.

When the teams returned for the second half, Ulinzi looked transformed. The tempo, the aggression, the hunger all of it intensified. Paul Okoth, who has suddenly found his scoring touch, spearheaded the charge. After missing an earlier chance where he had rounded the goalkeeper, the forward made amends on the hour mark. Pressing high, he forced an error from Edward Olak and punished it ruthlessly to put Ulinzi 2–1 up.

Five minutes later, Okoth struck again.

Masuta danced past his marker and floated in a teasing delivery that Okoth attacked with authority, rising highest to nod home the third and complete his brace. It was his second consecutive match on the scoresheet and a clear sign that Ulinzi have rediscovered a cutting edge they sorely lacked at the start of the season.

Sofapaka pushed late, but Ulinzi disciplined, compact and organized refused to buckle. When the whistle finally blew after four added minutes, the soldiers had sealed their third win of the campaign and climbed to ninth with 12 points from 10 games. Sofapaka, meanwhile, slumped to 14th after suffering back-to-back losses and leaking five goals in two matches.

Francis Ocholla’s men will now shift their dreams forward as they prepare to face Bandari on Saturday at the Ulinzi Sports Complex. Sofapaka will be desperate for a response when they meet APS Bomet back at the Kasarani Annex.