K. TeyaCAF CC: Homeboyz held by Al Hilal at Nyayo
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 19.08.23. | 17:24
The Kenyan side had good first half chances that they failed to take and in the end had to settle for a barren draw.
Kakamega Homeboyz's continental debut ended in a stalemate after playing out to a barren draw with Libya's Al Hilal Benghazi in a CAF Confederation Cup match staged at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Homeboyz qualified for the continental showpiece after winning the Mozzart Bet Cup and were seeking to get a first leg win at home but it wasn't to be as wastefulness and good game management from the visitors saw the game ended even.
"We created many chances but we failed to convert them and that's something that we have to work on. We had many opportunities but we just couldn't put the ball behind the net and that means we have to do a lot of finishing work in training before the return leg," Homeboyz coach Patrick Odhiambo said.
"It's not time to celebrate because it's just the first leg played and we have the return leg at home. The weather will be favourable and I believe we will be able to do well. We had trained for just ten days before this game and considering the fact that we were not at our best level in terms of fitness, I believe we did well, " Al hilal coach Mohamed Ouda opined.
There were chances for both teams in the opening minutes of the encounter. Ahmed Ramadhan's shot narrowly missed the target in the 3rd minute and a minute later, Estone Esiye's freekick went straight into the keeper's waiting hands. The Hilal keeper, Husamedin Ahmed saved a Brian Wekesa header in the 7th minute complete an eventful start to the game.
The momentum of the game shifted Homeboyz's way after the early chances. Husamedin Ahmed pulled two good saves to deny Moses Shumah and Estone Esiye in the 17th and 20th minutes respectively.
Homeboyz got frustrated by what they believed was intentional time wasting from the hosts as they endlessly went down breaking down the flow of the game. The first half ended barren.
Second half
Homeboyz made a tactical change before the restart. Winger Kevin Amwayi was rested for midfielder Stephen Opoku as coach Patrick Odhiambo opted to beef up his midfield.
Unlike the first half, the second started on a low with a few chances for either side. Much of the action took part in the middle of the park.
Substitute Oscar Paul had a great chance to win it for Homeboyz in the 79th minute but somehow failed to beat the Hilal keeper while through on goal.
The two teams meet again on the 27th of August at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi Libya.
Kakamega Homeboyz Starting XI: Farouk Shikalo, Erick Ambunya, Brian Wekesa, Robinson Kamura, Brian Eshihanda, Estone Esiye, Moses Mudavadi, Hillary Juma, Kevin Amwayi, Ambrose Sifuna, Moses Shumah
Subs: Paul Adam, Potipher Odhiambo, Alex Imbusia, John Otieno, Christopher Masinza, Brian Buleti, Stephen Opoku, Gospel Okoth, James Ssetuba
Al Hilal Benghazi Starting XI: Husamedin Ahmed, Bashier Alkarami, Mohamed Abdullah, Jaefar Iddriss, Osman Alshareef, Aboubakar, Meelad, Kevin Eze, Abdilkadir Ghorab, Ahmed Ramadhan, Ibrahim Abdulhadi, Abdulsalam Muftah
Subs: Ahmed Aliadawi, Khiled Almsmari, Kelvin Andoh, Ezzedddin Elmarmi, Salim Mohamed
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