This archive report was first published on 31 July 2019.
On Wednesday, Tusker FC hosted Ulinzi Stars in a preseason friendly at the Ruaraka grounds, with the match ending 2-1 in favor of the hosts. The game saw the debut of former Gor Mahia midfielders George 'Blackberry' Odhiambo and Humphrey Mieno, who have been training with the team.
Both Odhiambo and Mieno are currently free agents after parting ways with their respective clubs. Odhiambo's contract with Gor Mahia expired last month, while Mieno returned to Kenya after leaving Ethiopia's St George's on mutual consent.
Ulinzi Stars also fielded their new signing, Kelvin Thairu, in midfield. The visitors opened the scoring through Daniel Waweru at the stroke of halftime, but Tusker FC produced a comeback in the second half.
Michael Madoya equalized with a well-taken penalty after Ugandan Nicholas Kagabba was brought down in the box. Kagabba then scored the winner after picking up a loose ball in the box.
Tusker FC coach Robert Matano was impressed with the input from his trialists, stating, "My team is at 70 per cent. I have a few trialists in the team like Kagabba, Odhiambo, and Mieno who did well. We will continue gauging them in training."
Ulinzi Stars coach Benjamin Nyangweso was satisfied with the progress of his team despite losing, saying, "We are at 80 per cent and I hope we will do even better in our next friendlies against Mathare United and Wazito."
