The FKF Premier League continues to serve up surprises, and Wednesday’s action was no exception. Kakamega Homeboyz and Sofapaka FC both secured their first wins of the season, while Shabana FC faltered at home in what was a thrilling midweek round of fixtures.
With the league already heating up, teams are scrambling for crucial points, and these victories have given Homeboyz and Sofapaka much-needed momentum.
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Homeboyz Triumph Over City Stars in Mumias
Kakamega Homeboyz finally broke their winless run with a commanding 2-0 victory over Nairobi City Stars at the Mumias Sports Complex. This result marked a crucial turnaround for the hosts, who had been struggling with three losses and two draws from their opening five matches.
Coming into the match under intense pressure, the team was without head coach Ken Kenyatta, who was recently dismissed following a string of poor results.
In the interim, assistant coach Paul Okatwa took charge of the match from the dugout, supported by goalkeepers’ trainer John Waw, while incoming head coach Francis Baraza watched from the stands. Baraza, who is set to officially take over after the game, will be encouraged by what he saw from the team.
And breaaaaaaath!
Simba ka nyeshewa
We register our first win of the season#AbanaBeingo pic.twitter.com/uUyAVH3QR6
— Kakamega Homeboyz FC (@FcHomeboyz) October 23, 2024
Homeboyz took the lead just six minutes into the match through Oliver Majak, who capitalized on an early opportunity to put his side ahead. The hosts then doubled their lead just before halftime, thanks to a well-placed strike from Moses Shumah. Shumah’s goal was his second in consecutive games, indicating that the midfielder is rediscovering his form at a critical time for Homeboyz.
The second half saw a more evenly balanced affair, with both teams creating few chances. However, Homeboyz maintained their advantage, securing their first win of the season and relieving some pressure from the team’s technical bench.
Sofapaka’s First Victory Against Shabana
Over at the Gusii Stadium, Sofapaka FC also picked up their first win of the campaign, defeating Shabana FC by a narrow 1-0 margin. Sofapaka had endured a rough start to the season, with three losses and two draws from their opening five matches. Their winless run added pressure on head coach David Ouma to turn things around, and the match against Shabana proved to be the perfect opportunity.
The game was decided early on when new signing Douglas Ochoko found the back of the net just two minutes into the match. The early goal shook Shabana, who struggled to respond for the remainder of the contest. Despite creating a few chances, Shabana couldn’t break down a resolute Sofapaka defense, and the match ended in favor of the visitors.
Shabana, who came into the match with two draws and one loss from their first three games, failed to take advantage of playing at home, much to the disappointment of their fans. This defeat piles more pressure on head coach Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omolo, who will be looking to bounce back in the upcoming fixtures.
Posta Rangers Hold Mara Sugar to a Draw
At Awendo Green Stadium, newly promoted Mara Sugar saw their perfect home record come to an end after being held to a 1-1 draw by Posta Rangers. Mara Sugar had been enjoying a strong start to the season, especially at home, but Posta Rangers came prepared and were able to disrupt their flow.
Full-time
Mara Sugar Fc 1-1 Posta Rangers #KPL2024 pic.twitter.com/KtPRzooCti
— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) October 23, 2024
Despite Mara Sugar taking the lead early on, Posta Rangers rallied back and found an equalizer later in the match. Both teams fought hard for the win, but neither could find the decisive breakthrough, leaving them to share the spoils.
What the Wins Mean for Homeboyz and Sofapaka
For Kakamega Homeboyz, this victory offers a fresh start under new management. With Francis Baraza set to take over officially, the win provides a much-needed morale boost for the players and fans. The team had been languishing near the bottom of the table, and this win will give them a platform to build upon as they aim to climb the standings in the coming weeks.
Sofapaka, too, will be relieved to have finally picked up their first three points of the season. After a string of poor results, the win against Shabana will restore some confidence to the squad. Sofapaka, a former league champion, will be hoping that this result sparks a run of good form as they look to move up the table and contend for a top-half finish.
Challenges Ahead for Shabana
On the other hand, Shabana FC will need to regroup quickly after their latest setback. Playing at home, the team had hoped to secure their first win of the season, but their inability to break down Sofapaka’s defense exposed some weaknesses in their attack. Coach Sammy Omolo will have to address these issues if his side is to avoid slipping further down the table.
Shabana’s return to the top tier of Kenyan football has not been easy, and the team will need to find their footing soon if they are to stay competitive in the FKF Premier League. With three games played and no win to show for it, the pressure is mounting on both the players and the technical staff.
