Utalii in feeble win over Sahel - - 26 April 1998
Utalii 1 Etoile du Sahel 0. Kenya’s Utalii FC scored a lone
goal to beat the visting Etoile du Sahel FC of Tunisia 1- 0 in the third
round, first leg tie of the Africa Champions League at Afraha Stadium,
Nakuru yesterday.
Following their slim win, the pressure will now be on Utalii when the
two sides clash in the return match in two week’s time in Tunisia.
The home team was greatly disadvantaged by the absence of dependable
midfielder John “Mo” Muiruri who was ruled out after receiving two
yellow cards against Medlow Megbi of Eritrea and during the return match
against El Merreikh FC of Sudan.
In the fifth minute Utalii nearly took the lead when James Nandwa
moved dangerously into the box but shot wide.
A minute before the breather Utalii squandered another chance when
well-positioned Jones Onchera shot wide with goal keeper Essalhi
Radhouwe well beaten.
Ten minutes into the second half, former Harambee Stars striker
Elkana Swaka put his side on the winning trail when he capitalised on a
defensive lapse by Etoile to stab home a simple goal past the stranded
goalkeeper.
In the 72nd minute second half substitute Seif Mutie missed golden
chance when he outplayed two defenders but his feeble shot was cleared
by a defender.
Etoile’s Boukadida Mounir, Menezes Clyton, Chouchane Farid were
yellow carded for rough play while Utalii’s Sylvanus Otema was also
given a yellow card for a harsh tackle ben Younis.
In the second half Utalii introduced Ahamed Yusuf for Islama
Mohammed, Seif Muitie for Elkana Swaka, while Etiole brought in Jellasi
Riadh for Ghodbaro Kais and Dzaziri Zied for Trabelesi Farouk .
Speaking after the match Utalii coach was disappointed by the reults
saying: “The boys simply did not play according to my instructions.”