Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Soccer fans troop back to stadia as Ulinzi triumphs



Ulinzi fans celebrate at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru, on Sunday. Mohammed Amin | NATION
Ulinzi fans celebrate at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru, on Sunday. Mohammed Amin | NATION  
By ODINDO AYIEKO oayieko@yahoo.co.uk
Posted Monday, November 15 2010 at 21:00
IN SUMMARY
  • Gor Mahia misses cup by a whisker and success of this year’s league has left football fans fired up for the next season
Ulinzi Stars won the 2010 Kenyan Premier League title on Sunday but the biggest story was the return of thousands of fans to the local stadia after years of apathy.
Gor Mahia, one of the country’s most successful clubs pushed Ulinzi to the limit and could have been crowned champions had Ulinzi faltered.
But the soldiers deservedly celebrated in style after beating Karuturi Sports 2-0 in Nakuru while Gor Mahia, backed by their ever loyal fans, could only manage a barren draw against City Stars in Nairobi.
The crowds that filled the Afraha Stadium to watch Ulinzi win and those at the City Stadium for the K’Ogalo clash were a clear indicator that local football is once again attracting interest.
“That is the success story of this year’s league. Fans are back and Kenyan football is once again competing for television space with the best in the world,” said outgoing Kenyan Premier League Limited chairman Elly Kalekwa who is the president of Sofapaka — last year’s champions.
Ulinzi’s rise has been systematic. They were never considered favourites when the season started. Their performance last season, where they finished 10th, had made pundits dismiss them.
But while all eyes were on Sofapaka, Mathare United, Thika United and Tusker FC and to some extent, Gor Mahia, Ulinzi were collecting points and moving up the table.
“We were never even considered underdogs in the competition. Nobody was talking about us and I think that was good because it took the pressure off us,” observes Ulinzi team manager Joe Birgen, a former player with the club and the national team.
But while Sofapaka faltered midway though the season, sacking two coaches — Robert Matano and Ugandan Sam Ssimbwa — in the process and Tusker saw their five-point second leg lead crumble, Ulinzi went eight matches unbeaten and when they moved to the driving seat of the league, they were never dislodged though at some point it seemed to be slipping through their fingers when their six-point lead was reduced to one.
“Of course we feared at some point it could slip from us but we remained confident and focused,” said club coach Benjamin Nyangweso.
“Gor Mahia pushed us to the limit and I can say while I can today celebrate, Gor offered us the best challenge.”
It is Ulinzi’s fourth title but the sweetest coming at a time when the league is attracting interest. The coming of Supersport to air matches across Africa has added flavour and the fact that clubs are now earning from playing makes the competition stiffer.
By winning the competition, Ulinzi who will represent Kenya in the Africa Champions League next season, pocketed Sh3 million.
High standards of discipline
Nyangweso attributes Ulinzi’s victory to the high standards of discipline in the squad and the experience of most of the players among them striker Tom Ogweno, a former international.
At the beginning of the season though, the club was faced with a crisis after former coach Sammy Simiyu and three players — Jackton Odhiambo, Stephen Waruru and Evans Amoka — were suspended by the KPL for indiscipline.
But the team picked up the pieces and rose to win their fourth title.
The success of this year’s league has left many fans fired up for the next season.

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