NAIROBI — Mara Sugar claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ulinzi Stars on Sunday afternoon at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, delivering a clinical performance marked by composure in key moments and tactical discipline to secure three pivotal points in the early FKF Premier League season.

The contest wasted no time in coming to life, with Mara Sugar striking early. Just four minutes into play, an incisive attack saw the visitors carve open the Ulinzi defense before slotting home the opener. Buoyed by the fast start, Mara Sugar pressed their advantage, causing anxious moments for the home crowd as they threatened to double their lead throughout the opening exchanges.

Ulinzi Stars, known for their resilience, settled into the match and began dictating the tempo as the half progressed. Their persistence paid off in the 33rd minute, when a well-crafted sequence culminated in the equalizer, drawing the sides level and reigniting the contest. The equalizing goal energized the hosts, who looked the more likely to break the deadlock before halftime, probing with purpose but ultimately denied by Mara Sugar’s organized back line.

The second half opened with Ulinzi Stars enjoying greater possession—finishing the match with a 58% share—but the Mara Sugar defense remained compact and unyielding, absorbing pressure and waiting for opportunities to break. As the minutes ticked by, tension mounted inside the stadium, with both sides exchanging half-chances and the match finely balanced.

It was Mara Sugar who managed to turn the tide decisively in the 71st minute. Capitalizing on a lapse in Ulinzi's midfield, the visitors mounted a swift counter, culminating in a composed finish that restored their lead. From that point, Mara Sugar managed the remaining proceedings with maturity, frustrating Ulinzi’s efforts at an equalizer. Ulinzi Stars mustered a late surge, but their attempts lacked the incisiveness required to breach Mara Sugar’s determined defense.

Statistically, Ulinzi edged the ball possession and registered more corners, but Mara Sugar’s clinical edge made the crucial difference—registering four shots on target to Ulinzi’s three, and converting their limited chances with precision.

The win sees Mara Sugar move up the league standings, a testament to their growing stature and capacity to earn results away from home. For Ulinzi Stars, the defeat underscores the need for sharper finishing and defensive focus in critical moments as the campaign unfolds.

No official FKF Premier League YouTube recap from high-subscriber verified sources was yet available for this fixture at press time, in line with the league’s ongoing expansion of digital content. Coverage was based on verified match data and trusted sports stat platforms, avoiding unofficial or PlayStation-generated videos.