Kibarani United FC faced off against Miritini Wazee FC in a tense league encounter at Miritini Primary School on 24 May 2025, with the match kicking off at 4:30pm. The visitors secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory, thanks to a stunning long-range strike from John Odongo, which proved decisive in a closely contested affair.
Kibarani United deployed a 4-3-3 formation, with Cosmas Okumu in goal, flanked by a back four consisting of Bicky Bakari on the right, Gabu and Rankie Wanjala in central defence, and Mendy on the left. The midfield trio featured Sele on the right, Ndegwa in the centre, and Conteh Ombongi on the left, while the attacking front three comprised Joggy on the right, John Odongo as the central striker, and Amos Mageto on the left. This setup aimed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for quick transitions into attack.
The substitutes for Kibarani United included Yobra Obizo, Deluka, and Thomas, who would be called upon later in the match to influence proceedings.
The match began with an early chance for Kibarani United when Conteh Ombongi delivered a long pass in the fifth minute, creating an opportunity that set the tone for the visitors' attacking intent. Just two minutes later, goalkeeper Cosmas Okumu showcased his skills by making a confident catch, ensuring his side remained untroubled early on.
In the eighth minute, Joggy had a chance to put Kibarani ahead but his effort went wide. However, he quickly made amends by providing a flicked pass in the tenth minute, though it failed to create a significant chance. Mendy then contributed with a long pass in the twelfth minute, which did create an opportunity, but it was the following moments that truly ignited the match.
John Odongo came close to scoring in the fifteenth minute when he struck the post, a near miss that highlighted Kibarani's attacking prowess. Mendy's defensive skills were on display shortly after, as he intercepted a dangerous attack in the eighteenth minute, preventing Miritini from capitalising on a promising situation.
Kibarani's midfield began to dominate, with Ndegwa delivering a long pass in the twentieth minute that created yet another chance. The breakthrough finally came in the twenty-second minute when John Odongo unleashed a spectacular long-range strike from outside the box, finding the back of the net with his right foot, sending the Kibarani supporters into raptures.
Miritini Wazee struggled to respond, with Rankie Wanjala making a crucial header in the twenty-fifth minute to thwart an impending threat. However, the match took a turn in the twenty-seventh minute when Wanjala received a yellow card for an infringement, adding to the tension on the pitch.
As the first half drew to a close, Kibarani continued to press, with John Odongo and Joggy both attempting shots that went wide, leaving the score at 1-0 at half-time.
The second half began with a tactical substitution for Kibarani, as Yobra Obizo replaced Gabu in the forty-sixth minute. The visitors maintained their defensive discipline, with Bicky Bakari making a vital clearance just a minute later to keep Miritini at bay.
Yobra Obizo had an immediate impact, testing the Miritini goalkeeper with a shot that was saved in the fifty-first minute. Bakari then attempted to create further chances with a long pass in the fifty-fifth minute, although it did not lead to a goal.
Cosmas Okumu remained alert in goal, making another catch in the sixty-ninth minute to deny Miritini any hope of equalising. Tactical changes were made in the seventieth minute, with Deluka coming on for Conteh Ombongi and Thomas replacing Sele, as Kibarani sought to solidify their lead.
Joggy was instrumental in the seventy-third minute, providing a flicked pass that created a chance, but the visitors could not convert. The match became increasingly physical, with Mendy receiving a yellow card for persistent infringements in the seventy-fifth minute, followed by Deluka being cautioned for a bad tackle in the seventy-seventh minute.
Despite the mounting pressure, Kibarani's defence held firm, with Yobra Obizo making a crucial clearance in the eightieth minute and Rankie Wanjala following suit with another clearance in the eighty-eighth minute, ensuring the clean sheet remained intact.
As the final whistle blew, Kibarani United celebrated a hard-earned victory, with John Odongo's goal proving the difference.
The performance of Joggy was particularly noteworthy, earning him the Player of the Match accolade for his contributions throughout the game.
