Sharks lifeline as Muluya hails ‘gritty escape’ from drop zone

Kariobangi Sharks head coach William Muluya has described his side’s hard-fought 1–0 victory over Ulinzi Stars as a timely breath of fresh air after weeks spent navigating troubled waters at the foot of the FKF Premier League table.

The win, secured on Sunday afternoon at the Kasarani Annex, brought an abrupt end to the Sharks’ five-match winless run and nudged them out of the relegation zone. Humphrey Aroko’s composed 40th-minute penalty proved decisive, settling a tense contest between two sides deeply entangled in the survival fight.

Speaking after the match, Muluya admitted the psychological weight that had hung over his players during a difficult spell that stretched back to December 18, 2025.

“It’s still a big fight in front of us because we have only won 1–0 and we are still at the edges,” he said. “But being at the bottom is very tough. Today’s win is a sigh of relief for the players.”

Before kick-off, the Sharks were stuck in the drop zone after managing three draws and two defeats in their previous five outings, including heavy losses to Gor Mahia and Nairobi United. The victory lifts them to 17 points from 19 matches, level with Ulinzi Stars, as the relegation battle tightens further.

Muluya also voiced concern over his team’s defensive record, noting that lapses have undermined otherwise encouraging performances.

 “Can we try not concede? It’s very heartening but also worrying to see a team that conceded 27 goals last season, and now we are already at 21,” he remarked, attributing much of the damage to recent games against Gor Mahia and Nairobi United.

Despite the narrow scoreline, the Sharks boss felt his side could have put the game to bed earlier. He pointed to missed chances and urged calmness in the final third.

“I believe we had more chances. We need a calm head. Maybe it’s high time for some players to get more push and more work so they can thrive,” he added.

With Sharks now sitting 15th, level on points with 14th-placed Ulinzi, and only a handful of points separating safety from danger, Muluya knows the real test lies ahead.