In a gripping tournament clash at Mutomo Stadium on 31 March 2025, St Patrick’s Mutomo Boys faced off against their local rivals, Mutomo Young Stars FC. The match ended in a stalemate after 90 minutes, with the scoreline locked at 0-0, leading to a tense penalty shootout that saw St Patrick’s Mutomo Boys narrowly defeated 5-4.
St Patrick’s Mutomo Boys lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, designed to provide both defensive solidity and attacking flair. Benjamin Victor took his place between the sticks, while the back four consisted of Mutinda Charles on the right, Mutisya Michael and Richard Nyomo in central defence, and Daniel Muthama on the left. The midfield trio featured Said Salim on the right, Daniel Waithangi in the centre, and Kevin Macharia on the left, providing a balance of creativity and work rate. Up front, Nasolo Salim and Victor Singe operated as right and left forwards respectively, supporting the lone striker, Shadrack Francis, who was tasked with leading the line and converting chances.
The match began with both teams probing for weaknesses, but it was St Patrick’s Mutomo Boys who found themselves in the referee's book first. In the 14th minute, Mutinda Charles received a yellow card for a bad tackle, a decision that set the tone for a fiercely contested encounter. The early caution seemed to galvanise the St Patrick’s side, who continued to press forward in search of an opening goal.
As the first half progressed, both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances, with the defences holding firm. St Patrick’s Mutomo Boys maintained their shape well, with the midfield working tirelessly to regain possession and launch counter-attacks. Despite their efforts, the half ended without any goals, and the teams retreated to the dressing rooms at 0-0.
The second half saw a continuation of the stalemate, with both sides unable to break the deadlock. St Patrick’s Mutomo Boys remained resolute in defence, but their attacking efforts were thwarted by a well-organised Mutomo Young Stars FC backline. As the match wore on, the tension in the stadium grew palpable, with both sets of supporters urging their teams on.
With no goals scored in normal time, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout. St Patrick’s Mutomo Boys stepped up to the spot with determination, but ultimately fell short as Mutomo Young Stars FC converted their penalties with precision. The shootout concluded with a score of 5-4 in favour of the Young Stars, leaving St Patrick’s Mutomo Boys to reflect on a valiant effort that, despite their best intentions, did not yield the desired result.
The referee, Joseph Kathini, managed the match with a firm hand, ensuring that the game flowed despite the physical nature of the contest. His performance was generally well-received, contributing to an engaging spectacle for the 600 fans in attendance.
In the end, St Patrick’s Mutomo Boys will take heart from their performance, knowing they fought valiantly against their rivals, but the disappointment of the penalty shootout will linger as they look to regroup and come back stronger in their next outing.
