FOOTBALL Eric Otieno’s late goal sinks Ulinzi as Tusker make FKF Cup final

Otieno got on the end of Levin Opiyio's cross in the 90th minute to add to Ulinzi's woes.

Tusker FC's hopes of securing a first league and cup double since 2016 were kept alive as substitute Eric Otieno's goal in the 90th minute was enough to add to Ulinzi Stars' crisis in an FKF semi-final cup clash played at the Nyayo Stadium.

The game started fairly even with both sides not really managing to be a real threat in each other’s final thirds.

Tusker created the first realistic opportunity in the fifth minute when John Njuguna picked the ball at the edge of the box before curling one towards goal but it flew over.

The Brewers' captain Humphrey Mieno hit a shot on the edge of the penalty area after being involved in a good one-two with Rodgers Ouma, but it was not threatening enough to cause the Soldiers any real problems.

Tusker started enjoying the lion’s share of possession from then on and tried to attack down their left flank using the potent combination between left back Levin Opiyo and Mike Oduor.

In the 19th minute, it nearly paid off when Oduor tried a cheeky lob ball over Ulinzi right back Swaleh Salim before hitting a dangerous cross that nearly got Boniface Andayi putting the ball into the back of his own net.

Ulinzi resorted to having to hit Tusker on the counter attack using the flanks and Steven Etyang looked their biggest threat as the outlet before the water break. Boniface Muchiri was proving ineffective on the right flank.

Etiang was giving stand-in Tusker right back Kevin Monyi problems by stretching the defense. In the 22nd minute, he had a go at goal when he stoked the ball across the face of goal after a run on the left.

After the water break, Ulinzi coach Bernard Mwalala decided to switch both players, with Etiang moving to the right flank while Muchiri moved left.

The Tusker defense began to be stretched. In the 44th minute, Etiang ran at pace past Opiyo before passing the ball to Hillary Simiyu who then won a free kick on the edge of the area.

Muchiri's resulting effort was well collected by Bwire before he launched a counter attack by throwing the ball to Luvanda who controlled the ball and , found space, before firing at goal but the effort went inches over the bar.

In the second half, Tusker started the brighter of the two teams. Njuguna picked the ball at the edge of the box, and struck the ball low but it sailed wide off target.

In the 53rd minute, Ulinzi had the chance to go ahead when Boniface Muchiri rattled a free kick he took on the edge of the area against the upright of Brian Bwire’s post.

He appeared to get injured, forcing Mwalala into subbing him off for Clinton Omondi. The game would then revert to being even, with both sides creating half-chances and the general quality of both sides’ attacks not being that great.

In the 81st minute substitute Enosh Ochieng’ created the most realistic opportunity when he received the ball after Tusker’s Rodgers Ouma had turned over the possession before hitting a low drilled shot with his left foot, but it hit the side netting.

Tusker finally broke the deadlock in the 90th minute when substitute Eric Otieno got on the end of Opiyo’s floated left-footed cross sinking the hearts of Mwalala’s charges.

Line ups:

Tusker XI: Brian Bwire, Kevin Monyi, Tom Teka, Mike Kibwage, Levin Opiyo, Rodgers Ouma, Humphrey Mieno, John Macharia (David Odoyo 87’), Lawrence Luvanda(Eric Mmata 65’), Mike Oduor, Deogracious Ojok (Eric Otieno 65’),

Ulinzi Stars XI: Omondi Ricks, Salim Swaleh,Omar Mbungi,Muchika Bonventure,Lumumba Issa,Etyang Stephen,Kago John (Enosh Ochieng 70’),Andayi Boniface,Simiyu Hillary ,Odhiambo Staphod, Muchiri Bonface( Clinton Omondi 54’)