In an exhilarating league clash at the Kayole Calvary Play Ground on 26 October 2024, Kayole Youngstars FC narrowly defeated Kibagare Slums FC with a final score of 1-0. The match, which kicked off at 4:00pm, showcased a fierce battle between two determined sides, with the Youngstars ultimately securing the victory through a late goal.
The Youngstars adopted a 4-3-3 formation, which saw Vidalis Asava stationed in goal, providing a solid last line of defence. The back four comprised Moses Igeshi and Fidel Brandon Omondi as right and left defenders respectively, flanked by central defenders Lameck Onyango and Julius Nyerere. In midfield, Theophylle Otieno operated on the right, with Collins Lubembe in a central role, and Akok Deng' on the left, tasked with linking play and supporting the attack. Up front, Charles Munala, Shadrack Malo, and Boaz Juma formed a potent attacking trio, expected to apply pressure on the Kibagare defence.
The substitutes for Kayole Youngstars included Voti Mwanzaku, Nyvelle Amwolo, Joel Gedi, Alvin Budi, and Alfred Nzwili, who would provide tactical options as the match progressed.
As the first half unfolded, both teams struggled to find their rhythm, with the Youngstars holding a slight edge in possession with beautiful passing across the Red carpet. The match reached its halfway point without any goals, leading to a tense atmosphere as both sides sought to break the deadlock.
The second half began with a tactical substitution for Kayole Youngstars, as Voti Mwanzaku replaced Charles Munala just after the restart. This change aimed to inject fresh energy into the Youngstars' attack. However, the match took a turn when Julius Nyerere was forced off due to injury, leading to Nyvelle Amwolo coming on in his place.
As the game progressed, the referee was called into action, issuing a series of yellow cards. The first was shown for a deliberate handball in the 61st minute, followed by another for dissent just three minutes later. Tensions escalated further when Lameck Onyango received a yellow card for unsporting behaviour in the 66th minute, and shortly thereafter, another player was cautioned for dissent.
The situation deteriorated for the visitors as one of the technical bench members was shown a red card just moments later for protesting heavily against the fourth official.
In a tactical switch, Joel Gedi replaced Akok Deng' in the 75th minute, while Alvin Budi also entered the fray, coming on for Fidel Brandon Omondi. These changes proved crucial as the Youngstars sought to exploit any gaps in the Kibagare defence.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 79th minute when Nyvelle Amwolo, who had only recently come onto the pitch, scored a stunning long-range strike, assisted by Boaz Juma. The goal sent the home crowd into raptures, as Amwolo's right-footed effort found the back of the net, giving Kayole Youngstars the lead.
As the match drew to a close, Alfred Nzwili was introduced in place of Boaz Juma, further solidifying the Youngstars' midfield. However, the intensity of the match continued, with Shadrack Malo receiving a yellow card for a bad tackle in the first minute of injury time. The final moments saw Nzwili also cautioned for delaying restart, adding to the tension as the match approached its conclusion.
Ultimately, Kayole Youngstars held on for a hard-fought victory, with Amwolo's goal proving decisive. The performance of Boaz Juma was particularly noteworthy, earning him the accolade of Player of the Match for his influential role in the team's success. The Youngstars will take great confidence from this win as they look to build momentum in the league and towards their next home match against Water works FC.
