- Kakakmega Homeboyz did not enjoy a comfortable travel to Kisumu because their bus’s front tyre exploded around Sabatia area
- “Abana Beingo” will now face NSL side Nairobi United in the Quarter finals
- The Homeboyz lone goal was scored by Captain Moses Mudavadi
The Kenya Premier League side Kakamega Homeboyz FC emerged with a one nil win against Shabana FC earlier today.The win eliminated Shabana FC in an entertaining encounter staged at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.
Match Analysis
The Homeboyz shot stopper Ibrahim Wanzala made several impressive saves which denied Shabana a chance to shake the net.
The battle, billed as the day’s showcase match, lived up to the expectations, with both teams demonstrating a tremendous determination to advance to the tournament’s last eight.
Despite Shabana’s prolonged dominance and clear-cut chances, Homeboyz emerged victorious owing to Moses Mudavadi’s lone goal and Wanzala’s heroics.
Homeboyz had to be at their best psychologically because their bus was involved in a road accident on the way to Kisumu.
Long range shots from either teams were witnessed as soon as centre referee Isaac Hamisi blasted the first whistle, underlying the resolve to secure early goals, control the match and ultimately secure a ticket to the last eight.
Homeboyz goalkeeper Wanzala was the first glove-man to be called into action barely a minute into the game, but the custodian was well placed to gather Darius Msagha’s shot.
Homeboyz responded quickly through Glen Masava, but Shabana goalkeeper Maxwell Mulili put his six-pack muscles to the test, and the retreating defenders cleared the rebound.
Derrick Oketch, the youngest player on the pitch, tried to test Wanzala with another long-range shot, but his attempt was well saved.
Experienced legs in the Homeboyz midfield helped calm the charged start, with the former champions settling in first and making promising build ups.
Shabana, on the other hand, appeared to find their forwards, in space, through launching long balls, with Brian Michira being the source of creativity, and dangerous in set pieces.
Before taking the lead, Shabana had overcome a deficit when Masava found himself in a shooting space in the box, only to blast over the crossbar.
Homeboyz seized the lead in the 18th minute thanks to skipper Mudavadi, who reacted quickly in the area to tap home a cross from Kevin Amwayi.
The Glamour Boys thought they had leveled matters in the dying minutes of the game but Hamisi awarded a foul in the build up to Homeboyz, cutting Dennis Okoth’s celebrations short.
Kakamega Homeboyz will now face NSL side Nairobi United in the Mozzart Bet Quarter finals.Date and venues to be communicated.
