Kijabe Hospital Football Club faced off against Judges FC in a friendly match on 22nd February 2025 at 10:10 am, with both teams finishing the game at three goals apiece after an exhilarating encounter that saw the lead change hands multiple times. The match, played in a neutral venue, showcased a blend of tactical prowess and individual brilliance, culminating in a dramatic penalty shootout to determine the winner.
Kijabe Hospital adopted a 3-4-2-1 formation, which allowed them to maintain a solid defensive structure while providing width and creativity in attack. Michael Kahuro took his position as goalkeeper, shielded by a trio of defenders: Hannington Nduati on the right, James Mathu in the centre, and Ayelabola Daniel on the left. The midfield was anchored by Derrick Gitonga and Owen Chimasia (Papa) centrally, with Elly Shammah and Leiyan Swakei providing support from the right and left flanks respectively. The attacking trio featured John Mandela and Nicholas Odhiambo as the right and left attacking midfielders, with Gidraf Gitau leading the line as the striker.
The substitutes for Kijabe Hospital included Amat Abraham, Gonda Salim, John Mark, Kulu Joseph, Kenneth Bett, Shadrack Ongubi, Abner Barongo, Zeng-Kamau Peter, Ruto Lodiongole, and Deco Anderson Koech, who were poised to make an impact as the match unfolded.
The match kicked off with Kijabe Hospital immediately asserting their intent, and within just two minutes, John Mandela opened the scoring. He found the back of the net from close range, courtesy of a precise short pass from Elly Shammah, sending the Kijabe supporters into raptures. However, Judges FC responded swiftly, equalising in the 22nd minute, showcasing their resilience and attacking capabilities.
As the first half progressed, Gidraf Gitau nearly restored Kijabe's lead in the 25th minute with a high attempt that sailed over the bar. Just five minutes later, Derrick Gitonga had his shot saved, further illustrating the competitive nature of the match. In the 31st minute, Owen Chimasia (Papa) struck for Kijabe, scoring from outside the area after a clever assist from Gidraf Gitau, putting Kijabe ahead once again.
However, the lead was short-lived as Judges FC equalised again in the 39th minute, with a lobbed effort from outside the box that caught Kijabe's defence off guard. The goal came directly after a mistake from James Mathu, whose misplaced pass led to the opportunity, highlighting the fine margins that often define such encounters.
At half-time, Kijabe Hospital made a series of tactical substitutions, bringing on Abner Barongo, Deco Anderson Koech, Ruto Lodiongole, Zeng-Kamau Peter, Kulu Joseph, Shadrack Ongubi, Kenneth Bett, and John Mark, in a bid to refresh their squad and regain control of the match by switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The second half saw Judges FC take the lead for the first time in the 63rd minute, capitalising on a moment of defensive indecision from Kijabe. Yet, Kijabe responded with determination, and in the 72nd minute, Ruto Lodiongole, who had just come on, scored with an assist from John Mark, bringing the score to 3-3.
As the match drew to a close, Abner Barongo had a chance to secure victory for Kijabe in the 96th minute, but his effort was saved, ensuring that the match ended in a thrilling draw. Both teams displayed commendable spirit and skill, making for an entertaining spectacle that will be remembered by players and fans alike.
