Former Mayenje Santos striker Sije scored the only goal of the game.
Ulinzi Stars suffered their ninth loss in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) when they went down 1-0 to Nzoia Sugar at Sudi Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
From this defeat, the Soldiers remained in seventh place in the standings with 31 points from 21 games, while Nzoia moved to second place on the log with 38 points from same number of matches.
The Sugar Millers dominated the match from the start with most of their attacks coming via the right flank through wide players Bonface Kweyu and James Kibande.
Kibande was afforded space and time to deliver a low cross for Hassan Beja, who was denied by goalkeeper Sylvain Ricks at the near post with the Soldiers defense.
At the other end of the pitch in the 18th minute, Ulinzi Stars came close putting their noses in front when Timothy Odhiambo had a good chance to score but his shot was deflected out for an unfruitful corner.
The Soldiers grew gradually into the match and former Nzoia defender Moses Mwale produced a world-class block in the 20th minute as he blocked Boniface Muchiri’s goal bound shot from inside the box.
Four minutes later, Nzoia Sugar launched an attack and they were rewarded when Yassin Sije popped up to the net for the games’ first goal after an assist came from Kevin Juma.
Nzoia Sugar were now oozing with confidence as they looked to double their lead.
However, Ulinzi Stars stood firm at the back and the score was 1-0 to the Sugar Millers at the interval.
12:28 - 28.03.2023
FKFPL Nzoia Sugar salivating for second place in clash against Ulinzi Stars
The Sugar Millers have not won any of their five previous matches.
The Soldiers started seeing more of the ball minutes after resumption, with Stephen Etyang getting his foot on the ball but his shot was tipped over the bar by the Sugar Millers’ glovesman Humphrey Katasi.
Nzoia scrambled to find rhythm as they played second fiddle to Ulinzi after the hour mark but the visitors were not taking their chances in the final third.
In search for a change upfront, Mwalala brought in fresh legs in the strikers positions in the final quarter of the hour as John Kago and Masita Masuta got in for Issa Lumumba and Timothy Odhiambo.
09:30 - 07.03.2023
FKFPL Nzoia Sugar hold prayers to aid their title quest as second round beckons
Millers hope to sweeten their quest for premier league honors with help from above.
Nzoia Sugar had some momentum in the closing stages but Ulinzi defended in numbers and with not much creativity the Soldiers on their side failed to curve in chances on the other end, as the game ended 1-0 in favor of the hosts.
How they lined up:
Nzoia Sugar: Humphrey Katasi, Moses Mwale, Vincent Mahiga, Randy Bakari, Ian Karani, Kevin Juma, James Kibande, Bonface Kweyu, Yassin Sije, Joseph Mwangi, Hassan Beja
Ulinzi Stars: Sylvain Ricks , Brian Birgen, Omar Mbongi, Bonventure Michika, Boniface Andayi, Bernard Ongoma, Stephen Etyang, Issa Lumumba, Hillary Simiyu, Timothy Odhiambo, Boniface Muchiri