A second-half strike from super substitute Calta Nasambu earned Kayole Starlets a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Madira Girls, securing a vital three points in the FKF Women Premier League.
Both sides came into the fixture separated by just five points on the table, with Kayole sitting 7th and Madira battling to move away from the relegation zone in 9th place. As expected, it proved to be a tense and closely contested encounter.
Tactical First Half
The game began cautiously, with both teams taking time to study each other’s style of play. Kayole created the first real opportunity of the match through Mercy Manguro, whose well-struck free-kick sailed inches over the crossbar. Shortly after, Faith Naliaka tested the Madira goalkeeper from the edge of the box, but the effort was comfortably saved. At the other end, goalkeeper Pauline Kathuruh was called into action on several occasions, producing two crucial aerial saves to keep the scores level.
Despite a few promising attacks from both sides, the two defenses remained solid throughout the opening period, and the teams headed into the break locked at 0-0.
Calta Delivers the Winner
Kayole returned for the second half looking sharper and more confident in possession. The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 67th minute after a tactical substitution paid immediate dividends. Calta Nasambu, who had been introduced seven minutes earlier in place of Nuru Hadima, finished off a swift counterattack to give Kayole the lead. The move began with Lavyne Achola before Mercy Manguro cleverly headed the ball into Calta’s path. The forward timed her run perfectly, bursting behind the defense before calmly finding the back of the net.
Kayole continued to push for a second goal. Esther Ngugi nearly doubled the advantage with a well-placed effort that forced the goalkeeper into a stretching save for a corner kick. From the resulting set piece, Ashley Shilwatso came close again, but her effort lacked enough power to trouble the defense.
Madira nearly found an equalizer against the run of play when Valarie Nekesa made a brilliant run from the halfway line and attempted to lob the goalkeeper, but her effort drifted narrowly wide. Naomi Masinde had the final opportunity of the match in the dying moments, but her attempt also went off target before the referee signaled full-time.
Matchday 21 Squad
Starting XI: Pauline Kathuruh (GK), Lavyne Achola, Salome Drailer, Fidy Kimani, Euphrasier Shilwatso, Mercy Mang’uro (C), Nuru Hadima, Eunice Nabwoba, Faith Naliaka, Magneta Ocharo, Esther Ngugi
Subs: Nelly Achieng, Sonia Wambui, Foscah Kanenge, Naomi Masinde, Calta Nasambu, Lindah Kihara, Valerian Nabwire
What’s Next?
The victory lifts Kayole Starlets to 6th place on the league table with 22 points. With one match remaining against Zetech Sparks, the team will now aim to finish the season strongly and cement their place in the top six. The final match of the season against Zetech Sparks will take place on Sunday, 17th May at Dandora Stadium, kicking off at 2:00 PM.
Matchweek 21 Takeaways
- Calta Nasambu scored her first goal for the Club since joining us in February from Barcelona SC
- Mercy Mang’uro registered her first assist of the season
- Our defense kept a cleansheet for the very first time since MW 8 (against Vihiga Queens)
- Drailer Salome was named the Ushindi Player Of The Match
