Hope Sportiff FC And Far East United FC Share Spoils In Thrilling Encounter

In a gripping league clash at Mwangaza Primary on 18 March 2025, Hope Sportiff FC and Far East United FC played out a dramatic 3-3 draw. The match, which kicked off at 1:00pm, was a showcase of attacking football and resilience from both sides, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

Hope Sportiff FC lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for fluid attacking transitions. Hillary Akhura took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Benson Kimani on the right, Isaac Odhiambo and George Karanja as central defenders, and Michael Githaiga on the left. Derrick Onsongo operated as the lone holding midfielder, tasked with breaking up opposition play and distributing the ball effectively. Ahead of him, Jean-Claude Kika and Edson Gwabi occupied the right and left attacking midfield roles respectively, while James Onyango, Luis Nito, and John Kitheka formed a dynamic front three, looking to exploit any defensive lapses from Far East United.

The substitutes for Hope Sportiff FC were not disclosed, but the starting eleven was more than capable of making an impact on the match.

The scoring opened early in the eighth minute when Luis Nito, displaying excellent positioning, connected with a precise short pass from Edson Gwabi to execute a stunning diving header from close range, sending the Hope Sportiff fans into raptures. Just eight minutes later, in the 16th minute, Isaac Odhiambo doubled the lead with a powerful header, this time from a corner delivered by Nito, showcasing the set-piece prowess of the home side.

However, Far East United responded with determination, pulling one back in the 32nd minute. A well-placed right-footed shot from inside the box found the back of the net, reigniting their hopes. The momentum shifted slightly as the visitors were shown a yellow card in the 35th minute for a bad tackle, a sign of their growing frustration.

As the teams headed into half-time, the score stood at 2-1 in favour of Hope Sportiff FC, but the second half promised more drama. Just five minutes after the restart, in the 52nd minute, Odhiambo struck again, this time converting a penalty with his right foot after a foul in the box, extending the lead to 3-1.

Yet, Far East United were not done. They responded swiftly, scoring from a set piece in the 57th minute, narrowing the deficit to 3-2 with another close-range effort. The game became increasingly tense, and in the 76th minute, Odhiambo received a yellow card for violent conduct, further intensifying the atmosphere on the pitch.

The visitors capitalised on the momentum shift, equalising in the 81st minute with a stunning strike from outside the area, leaving Akhura with little chance to react. The match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, a testament to the fighting spirit of both teams and a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football.