Neutral friendly match played on 16 February 2025.
Kicked off at 8:00 AM

In a captivating friendly encounter held at Don Bosco, a neutral venue, on 16th February 2025, Kijabe Hospital Football Club faced off against Jericho SDA, with both teams finishing the match with a scoreline of 3-3. The match kicked off at 8:00 am, and it proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions for players and fans alike, culminating in a dramatic finish that saw both sides display their attacking prowess.

Kijabe Hospital adopted a 4-3-3 formation, which saw Kulu Joseph stationed in goal, while the backline consisted of Amat Abraham and John Mark as right and left defenders, respectively, with James Mathu and Julius Mboya forming the central defensive partnership. The midfield trio comprised Zeng-Kamau Peter on the right, Derrick Gitonga in the centre, and David Njuguna on the left. Up front, Zablon Njenga and Wilson Kamiru operated as right and left forwards, with Gidraf Gitau leading the line as the striker. This formation aimed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for fluid attacking transitions.

The substitutes for Kijabe Hospital included Leiyan Swakei, Ruto Lodiongole, Owen Chimasia (Papa), Nicholas Odhiambo, Samson Thuo, Elly Shammah, and John Mandela, who were poised to make an impact as the match progressed.

The match began with Jericho SDA taking the initiative, and they opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a stunning lob from outside the box, executed with precision by one of their forwards. Kijabe Hospital struggled to find their rhythm early on, but Wilson Kamiru attempted to create a chance shortly after, delivering a clever flick that nearly set up an equaliser in the 25th minute.

However, the defensive frailties of Kijabe Hospital were exposed again just seven minutes later, as Jericho SDA capitalised on a defensive mistake to double their lead in the 32nd minute. The situation worsened for Kijabe when Jericho SDA scored their third goal in the 40th minute, finishing off a well-coordinated team move that left the Kijabe defence scrambling.

As the first half drew to a close, Kijabe Hospital's James Mathu had a chance to reduce the deficit, but his attempt sailed high over the bar in the 41st minute. The half-time whistle blew with Kijabe trailing 3-0, prompting tactical changes as they sought to turn the tide.

The second half saw a flurry of substitutions for Kijabe Hospital, with Nicholas Odhiambo, Samson Thuo, Elly Shammah, Owen Chimasia, Ruto Lodiongole, and Leiyan Swakei all introduced to inject fresh energy into the side, with the formation twitched from 4-3-3 to 3-4-2-1. The changes proved pivotal as Kijabe began to assert themselves, with Leiyan Swakei making an immediate impact. He had a shot saved in the 55th minute, but his persistence paid off when he scored in the 59th minute, assisted by Owen Chimasia, bringing Kijabe back into contention.

As the match progressed, Kijabe continued to press, and Swakei was again in the thick of the action, attempting another shot that went high in the 73rd minute. Kulu Joseph, the goalkeeper, showcased his skills with a crucial interception in the 66th minute, keeping Kijabe's hopes alive.

In a thrilling climax, Leiyan Swakei scored his second goal in the 85th minute, finding the net from close range and sending the Kijabe supporters into raptures. However, the drama was far from over, as Swakei missed a penalty in the 88th minute, his effort saved by the Jericho goalkeeper, which could have brought Kijabe back to level terms.

Despite the setback, Kijabe's determination shone through, and they managed to equalise in the 96th minute through James Mathu, who capitalised on a goalmouth scramble after a short pass from Nicholas Odhiambo. The match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, a testament to the resilience of Kijabe Hospital FC and the attacking flair of Jericho SDA. Leiyan Swakei's performance was particularly noteworthy, earning him the accolade of Player of the Match for his two goals and overall influence on the game.

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