Harambee Stars Keeper Origi Hails Johanna’s Goalazo against Ulinzi

He may be thousands of miles away from home but Kenya’s number one goalkeeper Arnold Origi is a man who keeps tabs with what’s happening in his homeland.

The 31-year-old keeper at Norwegian club, Lillestrom, was this week following closely his former KPL side Mathare United who traveled to Nakuru for their match against Ulinzi Stars.

Although the Soldiers won the match thanks to two first half goals from Stephen Ocholla and Kevin Amwayi, it was the consolation goal that Johanna Eric scored for the Slum Boys that delighted Origi.

Trailing 2-0 after half time, Johanna drilled in an unstoppable right footed strike from an impossible angle on the left channel on the pitch leaving Ulinzi keeper James Saruni clutching at thin air.

“Just seen Eric Johanna's goal for Mathare United against Ulinzi. No keeper in the world would have kept that out,” said Origi after watching the goal.

It was Johanna’s fourth goal of the season and the best of the lot which will for sure be a goal of the season contender.

Origi spent close to 7 years at Mathare United before signing for Tusker in 2006. He went to Norway a year later and has been playing in the Scandinavian country for nearly 8 years now.

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AFC Leopards Officials Playing Russian Roulette

There seems to be no end in sight for troubled AFC Leopards who have been dominating local headlines for all the wrong the reasons.

Just a day after the club’s Chairman Allan Kasavuli and treasurer Esther Luvembe resigned from their positions and a 12-man interim committee appointed to take over the running of the club, Leopards’ Deputy Secretary General, Asava Kadima, has written to the Kenya Premier League dismissing the move.

Kadima termed the appointments as ‘unconstitutional’ while reiterating that the club’s executive committee was fully in charge, and no such interim appointments had been sanctioned.

“Kasavuli duly resigned as AFC Leopards chair, and therefore he is not allowed to sign or transact any business on behalf of the club,” Kadima said.

“The National Executive Committee will be meeting Thursday to deliberate on the next course of action and we shall notify you on who will be stepping in as the club’s interim chairman,” added Kadima.

Politician Amin Walji was appointed to head the 12-man interim caretaker committee which also includes former club chairman Alex Ole Magelo, club ambassador Charles Bukeko ‘Papa Shirandula’, club legend George Sunguti and Duncan Angote among others. 

“In the meantime, please note that the club has not sanctioned any caretaker committee because this goes against the constitution of the club,” Kadima’s statement said.

Kadima reiterated that the current executive members are capable of overseeing the running of the club until the next elections are held.

AFC Leopards have been in a financial mess since their sponsor Mumias Sugar withdrew their sponsorship after plunging into a financial crisis. 

With the ongoing Russian roulette at the club, there’s nothing indicating that the mess will be solved any time soon.

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Ulinzi Conquer Mathare, Go Joint 2nd in KPL

Photo: Michezoafrika

Ulinzi Stars extended their unbeaten home run to six matches after two first half goals saw them conquer visiting Mathare United at Afraha, Wednesday evening.

The Soldiers, hunting for their maiden Kenya Premier League title in five years, were held to a 1-1 stalemate against lowly Nairobi City Stars in their last home game. The result was frowned upon.

Determined to correct the wrong of losing two points at home, the Kenya Defence Forces outfit were quick off the blocks against the Slum Boys. After pressing the visitors high up the field in the opening minutes, Ulinzi took a deserved lead with just 10 minutes on the clock. Skipper Stephen Ocholla leaped head and shoulders above the Mathare defence and powered in a header from a John Nairuka pinpoint cross beating Peter Odhiambo in Mathare’s goal.

It was the Ocholla’s second goal of the season having scored another header in the 3-1 win against local rivals Nakuru All Stars last month.

The visitors had not lost away to the four-time KPL winners in their previous 11 meetings, dating back to April 2 2011. However, their hopes of maintaining that run looked implausible just 5 minutes after the first goal, Kevin Amwayi finding the back of the net with a cracking volley at the quarter hour mark to double the hosts’ lead.

Mathare keeper Odhiambo was tested twice, first by reigning KPL Player of the Month John Makwatta then Oscar Wamalwa before the interval.

Mathare United boss Stanley Okumbi must have delivered a solid pep talk to his boys during the breather. The Slum Boys pulled a goal back just three minutes into the second half, their top hitman, Eric Johana finding the back of James Saruni’s net with a long range strike, his fourth goal of the campaign.

Job Muhati came close to restoring Ulinzi’s two-goal lead but was denied by a fingertip save from Odhiambo. On the other end, Saruni had to stretch at maximum to keep out Edwin Ombasa’s shot, a sacrifice that left the keeper injured and had to be replaced.

Despite losing their number one custodian and with 10 minutes added, Robert Matano’s side held on for the three points.

Their next assignment will be on Sunday against Sofapaka who they share the second spot on the log with. The duo drew both their matches 1-1 when they met last season but Sofapaka leads the Soldiers 4-2 in the head-to-head record.

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