International friendly match:
- Gor Mahia (Kenya) 0 (9) – 0 (8) Kitara (Uganda)
The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium in Siaya county, Western Kenya was officially opened for public use on Thursday, 2nd January 2025.
Kenya’s most successful club, Gor Mahia overcame Kitara 9-8 in post-match penalties after regulation time had ended goal-less.
The match was watched by a passionate capacity sell-out crowd that included two presidents; the Kenyan leader William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as special guests.
The match was played for only an hour (30 minutes per half) with either side being denied.
Kitara’s goalkeeper Chrispas Kusiima pulled off a handful of saves to frustrate tricky winger Sharif Musa and Slyvester Owino on different tidings.
Living Kabon got close to scoring but his free kick from 25 yards kissed the cross bar in the 19th minute.
Before the tense and dramatic shoot-out, security and stewards endured a torrid time to force the fans to leave the field of play to allow the penalties be taken that Gor Mahia won 9-8.
Kevin Omondi, Alpha Onyango, Joseph Odhiambo, skipper Austin Odhiambo, Musa Masika, Sharif Musa, Slyvester Owino, C. Ochieng and goalkeeper Bryan Matthews all scored their respective kicks past goalie Kusiima.
Kitara’s goals came from Solomon Okwalinga, Patrick Kaddu, David Ndihabwe, Jasper Aheebwa, Titus Ssematimba, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Lazaro Bwambale and Arthur Kiggundu all netted.
Marvin Nyanzi, Ronald Otti and goalkeeper Kusiima missed their kicks.
After the final whistle, fans swarmed the field of play before the prize giving ceremony.
The two Presidents Ruto and Museveni handed over the medals to the players of the two teams before a trophy was presented to the chanting Gor Mahia players.
This was another trophy added to the rich cabinet of Gor Mahia who have won an unprecedented 21 titles since 1968, their founding year.
“Baba [Raila] has given KES 1 million, and I have given KES 2 million. These two teams will share because they played very well,” President Ruto noted.
That said, Kitara earned about Ug.Shs 40,000,000 from this match.
The match was first international duel played at the 15,000 seater Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium in Siaya county, Western Kenya.
This stadium has modern facilities as the FIFA Standard football pitch, an eight lane athletics track, VIP pavilion, public terraces, perimeter wall fence, ticketing boot, floodlights masts, VIP lounges and holding rooms as well as the VIP parking.
The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium is a product of the public-private partnerships.
Kitara Football Club Delegation:
Players: Maxwell Owachigiu (Captain), Chrispas Kusiima (Goalkeeper), Jamil Kiyimba (Goalkeeper), Farouk Yawe (Goalkeeper), Jasper Aheebwa, Lazaro Bwambale, Arthur Kiggundu, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Ronald Otti, Ramadhan Dudu, David Kasaija, Frank Kasumba, Erick Muber, Solomon Okwalinga, David Ndihabwe, Marvin Nyanzi, Titus Sematimba, Fred Amaku, Living Kabon, George Senkaaba, Rogers Mugisha, Patick Kaddu, Hamim Semakula
Officials: Joshua Atugonza (CEO), Wasswa Bossa (Head coach), George William Lutalo (assistant coach), Hassan Mubiru (fitness coach), Ayub Balyejusa (Trainer), Aloysious Makubuya, Enock Kayondo, Sunday Masinde, Sandra Awori, Geoffrey Tumwesigye, Timothy Kato, Innocent Tumusiime, Yahaya Businge
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