Kisasa FC’s first league game of the season kicked off at 3:00 PM on Sunday, May 3rd, hosted at St. Mary’s School.
Under the guidance of Coach Brice Bogna and Coach John Thomas ‘JT’ Nyakundi, Kisasa FC fielded a starting eleven of: Bravis Charles in goal; John ‘Richie’ Otieno at right-back, Nathan Karita and Clifton ‘Obama’ Obama in central defence, Kefa Omondi at left-back; Crispin Kiarie holding, with Geoffrey ‘Geoff’ Odhiambo and Samuel ‘Oti’ Otieno in midfield; Brian ‘Bri-o’ King’ori on the right wing, Lawrence Omangi on the left, and Trimendours ‘Tremo’ Musunzaji leading the line.
Diamond FC A got proceedings underway, registering their first shot on goal at 6 minutes. Kisasa FC responded almost immediately, putting together their first real spell and winning a corner just a minute later. Play remained positive, and the boys began to show real confidence on the ball, linking passes together during strong spells of possession.
A few minutes later, a driving run down the left wing saw Kisasa register their first shot on target. They passed confidently and defended bravely, showing no signs of this being their first time playing together. If anything, the excitement of the occasion may have cost them a bit of control and patience in front of goal, moments that could have made the difference in the first half.
As the game settled into its rhythm, the scene around the pitch came into focus. The St. Mary’s crowd was made up of parents, fans, team supporters, and industry stakeholders. The sun peeked in and out from behind the clouds, holding just enough to interrupt the spells of rain that had delayed the match by an hour. The night’s showers had flooded the pitch, forcing a late start in the name of field maintenance. Now, families looked on, some in camping chairs, others in wide safari hats, settling in for 70 minutes of football.
Early on, a defensive mistake at the back drew gasps from a breathless crowd. A back pass ricocheted off the keeper’s shin and fell kindly for an oncoming Diamond striker, but the keeper’s quick recovery settled nerves just in time. Five minutes later, Diamond kept up the pressure. A shot flew just over the bar, nearly clipping the crossbar, followed by a free kick that whistled past the top left corner.
At 18 minutes, Kisasa pushed down the right wing. Quick passing play beat the defenders, and a low, driven ball was sent in, but the final effort was gathered safely by the keeper. Both sides put on a strong defensive display, with Diamond clearing a series of corners and Kisasa pressing effectively in their half as the match approached its first quarter.
Then suddenly, down the right, Tremo burst through. He skipped over an outstretched tackle and let off a shot that sailed high over the bar, but the effort alone drew applause from coaches and supporters on both sides.
At 28 minutes, Lawrence made an impressive save, and Yeseong ‘Yeseong’ An came on to reinforce the attack down the left. He drove forward with intent, constantly taking on his man, and it began to feel like the breakthrough pass could come at any moment. The game settled into a rhythm, with Kisasa playing with increasing calm. There was always a foot in, always a player ready to disrupt Diamond’s attacks.
A Kisasa move down the left broke down, while a Diamond run on the right was flagged offside. As halftime approached, neither side could find a breakthrough. Then at 39 minutes, a brilliant passage of play from Diamond split the Kisasa defence, leaving their striker one on one with the keeper. Chased by defenders on both sides, he pulled the trigger, but the save was massive.
For a moment, Bravis was Emi Martinez. The crowd erupted in applause, and the warning was clear.
Kisasa continued to press, but the half ended 0-0.
Just minutes into the second half, Yeseong made a darting run down the right, cutting inside to beat his man and get a shot away. It lacked the pace to trouble the keeper, who gathered it cleanly. Both sides continued the relentless search for a winner.
At 58 minutes, Diamond won a corner but could not convert. What stood out, though, was Kisasa’s composure against a more mature side. They absorbed pressure and looked to break quickly, using the pace of Yeseong and Tremo. A series of offside calls showed how close those moments were to turning into something more, while also highlighting areas for improvement in timing and awareness.
Again, Yeseong found space at the edge of the box, and this time his curling effort drifted just past the far post, an attempt that would make Jeremy Doku proud. All the while, through every defensive effort that kept Diamond at bay, the voices of Coach Brice and Coach JT rang out from the touchline: “Vamos! Pressure! Good!”
In the second half, including set pieces, both sides created roughly four strong chances each, a clear reflection of how evenly matched the contest remained. Up front, the small but fearless duo of Yusuf and Tremo twisted and turned, showing glimpses of just how much they have to offer. Despite giving up size to most of their opponents, their intensity in both attack and defence was impossible to ignore.
The Kisasa keeper was called into action again as Diamond pressed late on, while the return of Yeseong prompted further attacking adjustments. Kefa had a go from distance near the end, a bold effort that flew just over. Moments later, Geoff and Crispin followed up with attempts of their own, but Diamond’s defence held firm.
The Shootout
That was among the final actions of the match. As the referee blew the whistle, the boys prepared for the first penalty shootout of the season.
If you have never watched a team you support in a penalty shootout, know this. It is nerve wracking. Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is known to look away during penalties, waiting only for the sound of celebration or heartbreak. Now imagine that feeling spread across every Kisasa supporter. Then imagine how the players feel.
After a tense huddle, Kisasa stepped up first. Tremo’s shot thundered into the top left corner. Diamond responded, burying theirs into the side netting. Kefa followed, sending his left-footed strike to the same side. Goal. Another confident penalty from Diamond kept things level.
Oti stepped up next, calm and composed, sending the keeper the wrong way. Bravis guessed right on the next attempt but could not reach it, encouragement pouring in from the bench. Briyo answered with a composed finish into the bottom right.
Bravis bounced on his heels, ready, imposing, but the next penalty still found its way in. Then came the turning point: a strong save from the Diamond keeper denied Yeseong.
Diamond stepped up for the final kick. A long run-up, a low strike to the bottom right, just beyond Bravis’ fingertips. Game over.
Playing together competitively for the first time, everyone left the field deeply encouraged. There is much more to come.
This was a remarkable opening performance from the boys, playing together competitively for the first time, and everyone left the field feeling deeply encouraged and motivated. One thing is clear from this showing: there is much more to come.
Concluding 0-0 (4-5 on penalties), the result sees Kisasa FC hit the ground running. With Matchday 1 now complete, the league is still anyone’s to call. With new sides defining themselves, and veteran squads eager to hold their ground, the competition is already taking shape. Next week, Sunday May 10th, the boys take on Skillz FC at 11:30 am, hosted at the same St. Mary’s venue.
Lineup
GK: Bravis Charles
RB: John ‘Richie’ Otieno · RCB: Nathan Karita · LCB: Clifton ‘Obama’ Obama · LB: Kefa Omondi
DM: Crispin Kiarie · CM: Geoffrey ‘Geoff’ Odhiambo · CM: Samuel ‘Oti’ Otieno
RW: Brian ‘Bri-o’ King’ori · LW: Lawrence Omangi · ST: Trimendours ‘Tremo’ Musunzaji
Subs introduced: Yusuf Dawe, Yeseong ‘Yeseong’ An.
Stats
Final score: Diamond FC A 0-0 Kisasa FC (Diamond won 5-4 on penalties)
Venue: St. Mary’s School, Nairobi
Kick-off: 15:00 (pushed from 14:30 due to weather)
Penalty scorers (Kisasa): Tremo, Kefa, Oti, Briyo
Penalty save: Diamond keeper denied Yeseong
Key notes: First competitive outing as a unit; defensive discipline; balanced contest decided on the spot kick.