Ochola sounds defensive alarm ahead of Murang'a test

Ulinzi FC head coach Stephen Ochola has urged his charges to tighten up defensively—especially during set pieces—as the Soldiers prepare for a tough SportPesa League encounter against in-form Murang’a Seal on Sunday.

Ulinzi currently sit 14th on the league table with 17 points from 17 matches, while their opponents Murang’a Seal are seventh, having collected 24 points from the same number of outings.

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Ochola admitted that defensive lapses, particularly from dead-ball situations, have cost his side dearly this season—an issue that dates back to the first leg of the 2025/26 campaign.

“In the first leg of the season, conceding from set pieces really affected us,” said Ochola.

Those concerns were once again highlighted last weekend when Ulinzi suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Mathare United. A moment of defensive laxity resulted in a penalty, which John Makwata converted to secure all three points for the Slum Boys.

“There was laxity on our side and we conceded from a set piece. This was something we had discussed before the match,” he added.

Ulinzi are still searching for their first win of 2026, having opened the year with a 1-1 draw against Nairobi United. Duncan Omalla gave the Naibois the lead before Evans Odhiambo salvaged a point for the Soldiers.

The first-leg meeting between Ulinzi and Murang’a Seal ended in a 1-0 victory for the Soldiers, courtesy of a late strike from Paul Okoth.

Despite the January transfer window being open, Ochola has ruled out panic signings, expressing confidence in his current squad.

“I am confident in the players we have, so we won’t make many changes,” he noted.

However, the tactician has challenged his team to be more consistent in the second half of the season as they look to steer clear of relegation trouble.

“The aim for the second leg is to get more points, avoid relegation, and finish in a good position,” he said.

Murang’a Seal head into the fixture buoyed by a 2-1 victory over Bidco United last weekend. They began 2026 with a 2-0 win over Mathare United, with Victor Haki and Jackson Imbiakha finding the net.

Seal then suffered a slight setback in their second league match of the year, losing 3-2 to Gor Mahia, before bouncing back with the win over Bidco.