In a thrilling friendly encounter held at the Kitui venue on 30 March 2025, Kitui Royals FC emerged victorious against Samco FC with a scoreline of 3-1. The match kicked off at 3:00 am, showcasing an entertaining display of football that kept the 1,800-strong crowd on the edge of their seats throughout the 90 minutes plus extra time.
Kitui Royals FC lined up in a 3-2-3-2 formation, designed to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair. The back three consisted of M. Stile at central defence, flanked by U. Dante and M. Munyasya as right and left defenders respectively. In midfield, J. Daddy and G. Kachunguni operated centrally, tasked with linking play and supporting the forwards. The attacking trio featured S. Mulandi on the right, F. Mwatha in the centre, and J. Abdallah on the left, providing width and creativity. Up front, Jnr. Agogo and Dan Casemiro were positioned as the two forwards, expected to convert chances into goals.
The substitutes for Kitui Royals FC included M. Masumba, W. Jimmy, S. Kenneth, Masoud J., S. Mukisa, D. Kimeu, and A. Mbiti, who would later play crucial roles in the match.
The game began with an immediate tactical shift as Kitui Royals made two substitutions within the first minute. S. Mulandi made way for M. Masumba, while U. Dante was replaced by W. Jimmy, indicating a proactive approach from the coaching staff right from the outset.
As the match progressed, Kitui Royals FC began to assert their dominance. Jnr. Agogo opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a stunning solo goal, expertly assisted by J. Daddy through a long pass. Agogo's right-footed strike from close range sent the home fans into raptures. Just ten minutes later, Agogo struck again, this time heading home from a cross delivered by S. Mulandi, doubling the lead to 2-0.
The first half concluded with Kitui Royals firmly in control, leading 2-0 at the break. However, the second half saw tactical changes as M. Munyasya was substituted for S. Kenneth in the 52nd minute, followed closely by Masoud J. coming on for an own goal by an opponent. S. Mukisa replaced G. Kachunguni in the 55th minute, and D. Kimeu took over from M. Stile shortly after.
As the match approached its final stages, Kitui Royals made another substitution, with A. Mbiti coming on for goalkeeper K. Sony in the 66th minute. The game took a dramatic turn in the 73rd minute when Samco FC managed to pull one back through a penalty, scored with a right-footed effort from outside the box, making it 2-1.
However, Kitui Royals responded emphatically in the 81st minute when S. Kenneth, assisted by J. Daddy with a clever flick, unleashed a stunning left-footed shot from outside the box, restoring the two-goal cushion and sealing the victory at 3-1.
Referee Joshua Francis managed the match with a commendable performance, ensuring that the game flowed smoothly and maintaining control over the proceedings. The match concluded with Kitui Royals FC celebrating a well-deserved win, showcasing their attacking prowess and tactical flexibility, while Samco FC will look to regroup after a challenging encounter.
