Match Report: Soy United 2-1 Kabati Youth | Kenya Football League

Soy United edged out Kabati Youth 2-1 in a hard-fought Kenya Football League encounter on 24 May 2026, earning three vital points in front of their home supporters. The match delivered drama, controversy, and a late winner that left the visitors heartbroken.

Match Overview

The game began at a frantic pace, with both sides eager to gain an early advantage. Soy United, playing in their familiar blue-and-white stripes, dominated possession in the first quarter but found Kabati Youth's compact defence difficult to penetrate. The visitors, who entered the match on a three-game unbeaten run, looked dangerous on the counter-attack through winger John Kamau.

Key Moments

• 17' Goal – Soy United 1-0: A defensive mix-up in the Kabati box allowed Soy striker Evans Kiprop to finish calmly from ten yards after a loose clearance.
• 34' Goal – Kabati Youth 1-1: John Kamau latched onto a long ball, outpaced the Soy centre-backs, and slotted past goalkeeper Brian Omondi with composure.
• 73' Red card – Kabati Youth: Midfielder David Ochieng was sent off for a second yellow card after a reckless challenge on Soy's captain Felix Chepkwony.
• 82' Goal – Soy United 2-1: Substitute Tom Mwangi curled a stunning free-kick over the wall and into the top corner, sending the home crowd into raptures.

Tactical Story

Soy United head coach Samuel Nyongesa opted for a 4-3-3 system designed to overload the flanks. Right-back Peter Wanjala overlapped frequently, delivering dangerous crosses that tested the Kabati backline. After the sending-off, Soy shifted to a more direct style, pushing players forward and relying on set pieces – a tactic that paid off with Mwangi's winning free-kick.

Kabati Youth, managed by Samuel Maina, had set up in a disciplined 4-4-1-1 to nullify Soy's midfield creativity. The plan worked until Ochieng's dismissal forced them into a more defensive posture, ultimately conceding the decisive goal from a dead-ball situation that they would feel could have been avoided.

Standout Players

• Tom Mwangi (Soy United): Came off the bench and scored a magnificent free-kick to win the match. His impact was immediate and decisive.
• John Kamau (Kabati Youth): Scored his side's equaliser and was a constant threat on the left wing before being substituted with fatigue in the 80th minute.
• Brian Omondi (Soy United): Made three crucial saves, including a one-on-one stop in the second half that kept the score level before the red card.

Season Impact

The victory moved Soy United up to seventh place in the Kenya Football League table with 25 points from 18 matches, keeping them in contention for a top-half finish. Kabati Youth dropped to 11th after the loss, now with 19 points, and will be concerned about their discipline after picking up three red cards this season. The result also ended Kabati's eight-match away unbeaten run in the league.