Stephen Ochola Slams Ulinzi Stars' Set-Piece Failings After Heartbreaking 2-1 Loss to AFC Leopards

Ulinzi Stars fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against AFC Leopards on December 18, 2025, despite a spirited performance at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.

Ulinzi Stars showed great resilience in the second half as star striker Paul Okoth, recently crowned the November Player of the Month, levelled the score in the 50th minute with a clinical header.

Seeking redemption after their previous 2-1 loss to KCB, Ulinzi Stars dominated large portions of the second half and nearly took the lead through close-range efforts from Masuta Masita.

They implemented a high-intensity pressing game that forced AFC Leopards into several defensive errors, showing a significant tactical improvement from their last outing.

However, the evening ended in heartbreak when a late strike by Victor Otieno snatched the points away, leaving Ulinzi to reflect on a dominant performance that lacked a finishing touch.

Speaking after the match, Ulinzi Stars coach Stephen Ochola lamented the team’s ongoing struggles with defending set pieces, describing it as a recurring issue that has continued to affect their results despite focused training.

He explained that he has addressed the problem multiple times with the squad, emphasising its importance, but acknowledged that the team has yet to fully overcome the challenge during matches.

Stephen Ochola suggested that while progress has been made in practice, translating those improvements into consistent game-day performance remains a work in progress.

“Again, we have conceded through a set piece, something that has always been troubling us for a long time. We have been working on that…I don’t know, it’s something that I have talked to the players about, but we are still losing,” he told Azam TV.

Stephen Ochola defended the goalkeeper, emphasising that the errors leading to goals were a collective responsibility rather than the fault of a single player.

He explained that the defensive lapses occurred because the outfield players failed to prevent opportunities from developing, and he stressed that the team would accept the loss together.

Stephen Ochola added that while the squad showed stronger performance and focus in the second half, they are working on achieving that same level of intensity consistently from the start of matches.

He intends to continue motivating and guiding the players to maintain high standards throughout the full game.

“We can’t blame him (the goalkeeper) for the mistakes because there are 10 players ahead of him, and if they did well, then the ball would not have gotten to him. It is a team mistake, and we shall carry that loss together,” he added.

“We have been trying to search for consistency, and in the second half, we played well. Psychologically, we shall continue to speak to the players to continue putting in the work in the first half as much as they do in the second.”

Ulinzi Stars are now set to host Posta Rangers at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Saturday, December 20, 2025, as they look to snap a two-game losing streak and secure a much-needed victory in their FKF Premier League Matchday 15 fixture.