In a highly anticipated league match at the Kwihota Primary in Gatong'ora Ward Ruiru on 29 September 2024, Agape Ruiru football club emerged victorious with a solid 2-0 win against Waiganjo FC. The match, which kicked off at 3:00pm, saw both teams compete fiercely, but it was Agape Ruiru's clinical finishing that made the difference.
Agape Ruiru set up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, providing a balanced structure that combined both defensive solidity and attacking intent. Lucky Maithya took his place as the goalkeeper, shielded by a back four comprising James Ngaruiya as the right defender, Simon Wanyoike and Stanley Kamakei as central defenders, and Jomentia Meingati occupying the left defender role. Ahead of them, Said Juma operated as the central midfielder, tasked with linking play and controlling the tempo. The attacking triad featured Abraham Saningo on the right as the attacking midfielder, Collins Munene on the left, and a central forward line led by Stephen Ngugi, supported by Isaac Kisuule on the right and Dennis Muiruri on the left.
The substitutes available for Agape Ruiru included Oliver Malusi, Enock Pariken, Tonney Adams, Henry Mwaniki, and Elvis Kagwe, providing tactical options as the match unfolded.
The first significant moment of the match came in the 28th minute, when Agape Ruiru opened the scoring. A well-worked team move culminated in a precise short pass from Abraham Saningo to Stephen Ngugi, who finished expertly from close range with his right foot. This early goal saw Agape Ruiru take command of the match, injecting a sense of urgency into Waiganjo FC's play as they sought to respond.
As the first half progressed, the pressure mounted on Waiganjo FC. Just before the interval, in the 43rd minute, Agape Ruiru doubled their lead. This time, Stephen Ngugi turned provider, delivering a flick assist to Dennis Muiruri, who tapped the ball in with his right foot from close range. The first half concluded with a definitive 2-0 lead for Agape Ruiru, leaving Waiganjo FC with much to ponder during the break.
The second half began with a tactical substitution for Agape Ruiru, as Oliver Malusi replaced Isaac Kisuule in the 46th minute. The change aimed to bolster their midfield presence and maintain control over the game. The following substitutions came in the 63rd minute, with Enock Pariken coming on for Collins Munene, while Tonney Adams replaced Dennis Muiruri, further freshening Agape Ruiru's attacking options.
With 15 minutes remaining, Henry Mwaniki entered the fray in the 75th minute, taking over from Said Juma, while Elvis Kagwe replaced Stephen Ngugi, who had been instrumental throughout the match. As the game neared its conclusion, Henry Mwaniki found himself in the referee's book, receiving a yellow card in the 80th minute for a bad tackle that underscored the competitive nature of the encounter.
Despite Waiganjo FC's efforts to claw back into the match, Agape Ruiru remained resolute in defence, holding firm to secure a comfortable victory. The match concluded with a well-deserved win for Agape Ruiru, a result that showcased their attacking prowess and defensive discipline. As the players left the pitch, the performance of Stephen Ngugi, James Ngaruiya, Said Juma, Abraham Saningo, and goalkeeper Lucky Maithya stood out, each contributing significantly to a memorable team effort.
