Ulinzi Stars went to the top of the FKF Premier League table after a 2-0 win over AFC Leopards at Thika Stadium on Friday.
Brian Birgen and Hillary Simiyu scored in the first and second half respectively to help the Nakuru-based side to grab their 10th point of the season and displace Nairobi City Stars at the Premier League's summit.
AFC created the first chance of the encounter in Thika, but Marvin Nabwire was not clinical with it as he sent his shot wide in the fourth minute.
Another chance for the home side came in the 13th minute when Brian Wanyama set Saad Musa through on goal, only for the South Sudan international to send the ball slightly over the bar from close range.
Despite persistent attacks from Ingwe, Ulinzi managed to settle, ventured forward and could have opened the score in the 23rd minute when they won four consecutive corners only for AFC Leopards' goalkeeper Maxwell Mulili to superbly collect the ball and end the Soldiers' siege on Ingwe.
After long persistence, Ulinzi Stars saw their efforts rewarded with a goal in the 42nd minute when Birgen's long-range shot beat goalkeeper Mulili for the opener. Initially, the ball hit the post but it slid into the net after a rebound.
The 2010 Premier League champions made a 46th-minute change as John Kago replaced Ibrahim Shambi while Ingwe's Zachariah Njiite - a debutant - replaced Robert Mudenyu in the 52nd minute.
Birgen would have earned a brace in the 54th minute when he made a run down his flank at great speed, beat the offside flag, and released a fierce shot, but Mulili was alert to deal with the threat this time around.
After Birgen was stopped by Ingwe's goalkeeper, they regrouped, kept possession, and in the 57th minute, scored the second goal as new signing Simiyu found the back of the net.
Just after going two down, Patrick Aussems made two changes with Boniface Mukhekhe and Eugene Mukangula coming on for Peter Thiong'o and Dan Musamali respectively in the 62nd minute.
Ulinzi Stars' Oscar Wamalwa replaced Masita Masuta in the 63rd minute before Ingwe's Dan Sunguti was thrown into action in place of Maxwell Otieno in the 66th minute.
To consolidate their midfield, Ulinzi made a further change that saw Biko Tindi join the fray as Omar Boraafya left the pitch.
In their next league match AFC Leopards will face Sofapaka on November 7, while Ulinzi Stars will host high-flying FC Talanta on the same day.
