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Ratolo strike fires Soy United back to National Super League after four years in cold
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Reading Time: 5min | Wed. 08.10.25. | 16:21
The game also brought to an end a three-month-long court battle that had previously raised doubts on the kick-off of the new season, which is already into its third week
Soy United has been promoted to the National Super League following their 1-0 win over FC Bumbani in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Division One playoff staged at Dandora Stadium on Wednesday, 8 October.
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Alfred Ratolo’s 50th-minute goal was the difference in the game, confirming Soy’s return to the second tier after nearly four years in the cold.
The game also brought to an end a three-month-long court battle that had previously raised doubts on the kick-off of the new season, which is already into its third week.
The Likuyani-based Blue Eagles will complete the 20-team lineup in the second tier, joining Gucha Stars and Kabati Youth from Division One.
Both Bumbani and Soy earned the playoff spot after finishing second in their respective Division One zones, Bumbani in Zone A behind Kabati Youth, and Soy in Zone B behind Gucha Stars.
Match report
Soy United started the game on the front foot and had a penalty appeal waved away in the opening five minutes.
At the heart of United’s midfield, captain Kevin Odira sat deep and dictated the tempo, breaking up Bumbani’s attacks and stringing passes that kept his side on the front foot.
One such incisive pass came as early as the 15th minute, when Odira’s through-ball forced Fundi Hamisi into a reckless foul, winning Soy a free kick in a promising position.
However, Ambrose Sifuna’s set-piece delivery was poor, squandering an early chance to open the scoring.
As both teams settled into the contest, Soy began to show greater intent on the ball.
The attacking trio of Peter Okello, Sifuna, and Clinton Dekah repeatedly tested Chuma Babu in the Bumbani goal.
Bumbani’s first real chance arrived in the 26th minute, but Dzuya Feisal made it difficult for himself after finding space, allowing Samuel Khaemba to track back and dispossess him.
Soy immediately launched a counter-attack, with Okello driving forward past two defenders, only to be halted by a timely challenge from Kizianda Hassan.
Shortly after the first-half water break, Bumbani earned a free kick in a dangerous area, but the effort was too tame to trouble Soy goalkeeper Shem Marani.
Soy regained possession swiftly through Odira, who surged past his marker before slipping a clever pass to Alex Ratolo, leaving him one-on-one with Chuma.
Ratolo, however, hesitated too long, allowing Fundi Hamisi to track back and win the ball.
As the game crossed the half-hour mark, Soy remained dominant in possession and territory but failed to convert their frequent forays into meaningful chances.
In the 38th minute, Okello again found himself in the spotlight and again for the wrong reasons.
Dekah showed great skill on the left flank, beating his marker, rounding goalkeeper Chuma, and unselfishly squaring the ball to Okello, who faced an empty net.
Yet the forward’s effort was dramatically blocked by Bumbani right-back Cheusi, who threw his body on the line to clear the ball.
In the final ten minutes of the first half, Bumbani grew in confidence, stringing together neat passes and venturing forward more often.
Hassan came closest to breaking the deadlock, latching onto a loose ball outside the box and unleashing a fierce half-volley that whistled inches wide of Marani’s gloves.
At the half-time whistle, it was Soy who looked the more frustrated, trudging off with heads down, ruing missed opportunities and facing a tense 45 minutes ahead.
Bumbani, meanwhile, left the pitch to warm applause from the fans, having weathered Soy’s early dominance and finished the half on steadier footing.
Second half
The second half started with a change for the Eagles as coach Jeffers Odongo withdrew captain Kevin Odira for Joseph Wafula.
From the restart, Soy looked more determined to score.
True to the saying that those who seek shall be given, Soy’s persistent pressure paid off in the 50th minute.
A Bumbani attack was intercepted by Samuel Khaemba, who passed the ball to Elvis Shamala.
From the left wing, Shamala switched play to the right to find Peter Okello.
Okello beat his marker, Bwengo, before squaring the ball forward to Ratolo, who controlled it and squeezed a tight-angled shot past Chuma to give Soy the lead and set them on their way back to the National Super League.
The goal unsettled Bumbani, with players visibly frustrated at each other as the minutes passed.
At the hour mark, Bumbani had a dangerous moment when Samatta outpaced Vincent Cliff and delivered a low cross across the goalmouth, but there was no teammate to finish it.
Soy almost doubled their advantage in the 65th minute after a clever exchange between Sifuna and Ratolo, whose shot forced a fingertip save from Chuma.
Moments later, Ratolo, now growing in confidence, picked a pass from Okello, turned past his marker, and unleashed a fierce shot that rattled the woodwork.
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In the 68th minute, Soy made their second change, replacing Okello with Dennis Shigami.
Shamala was booked in the 70th minute for a late challenge on Dzuya Feisal.
Bumbani grew more confident as the game neared its close, creating several chances, but none truly troubled Soy goalkeeper Shem Marani.
They also introduced fresh legs, bringing in Assu Ninja in the latter stages.
With ten minutes remaining, coach Odongo made a triple change to add firepower, introducing Harrison Lutta, Eric Ondeko, and Harrison Mwandike for Sifuna, Clinton Ouma, and Ratolo respectively.
The substitutes injected energy and created chances, but luck was not on Soy’s side for a second goal.
At the final whistle, Soy’s players, coaches, and supporters erupted in jubilation, celebrating their long-awaited return to the second tier since the 2021 season.
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