Bullish Matano: Ulinzi Stars in title race.

The former Sofapaka and Tusker coach insists the soldiers will not give up in their quest to win league but adds a top three finish will be satisfactory.

Bullish Ulinzi Stars coach Robert Matano has said they will be satisfied with nothing less than a top three finish in the league this season.
Matano insists that with current form the soldiers were enjoying they are capable of picking all points in remaining five matches and challenging for top spots in 16-team league.
"A top three position, why not? There is a lot of talk about how certain teams have already ran away with the title but there are five matches remaining and people forget that football is highly unpredictable.
"The team’s results are out there for everyone to see and if we can maintain current form then, why not…we can finish even higher than the number three spot," Matano told KPL website.
Ulinzi, considered title contenders at beginning of the season before dropping off the pace from a poor start, have indeed picked up form illustrated with their 2-1 victory over title hopefuls Tusker in their last fixture on September 25.
In fact the result, coming after a 2-0 triumph over Nakuru All Stars four days earlier, marked Ulinzi’s only second back to back wins this season. The first came way back in May when they beat KCB 2-1 before edging out All Stars 1-0.
Matano, who replaced Salim Ali as Ulinzi's coach in March, says the team had taken time to conform to his coaching style but he now had a perfect understanding of his players and their abilities.
"When I came to the club earlier in the season the first thing I did was to assess each and every player. Based on their strengths I chose who to work with this season and who to give more development time, and the fruits speak for themselves.”
The four times champions have not lost in 15 of their last 16 matches and are currently lying fifth on the league table with 38 points, three less than fourth-placed Chemelil Sugar.
Team captain Stephen Ocholla has throughout the season led from the front while striker Stephen Waruru lead’s the club’s top scorers list with eight goals. Also worthy of mention is their versatile goalkeeper James Saruni, who has weighed in with two goals.
Ulinzi face Chemelil Sugar on Friday at the Chemelil Sports Complex knowing a win will lift them to fourth position and in clear sight of leading three sides, Gor Mahia, Sofapaka and Tusker.