FKFPL PREVIEW: Homeboyz chase victory against Sofapaka to honour slain Silas Abungana
Reading Time: 4min | Fri. 20.02.26. | 07:53
Friday’s encounter, therefore, presents an opportunity for the hosts to honour their departed teammate in the most fitting way possible, with a spirited performance and maximum points
FKF Premier League action returns on Friday, 20 February, with a solitary round 21 fixture that carries both competitive significance and deep emotional weight as Kakamega Homeboyz host Sofapaka FC at Bukhungu Stadium in a 1:00 PM kick-off.
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While three crucial points will be at stake, the occasion transcends the usual league narrative.
It will mark the first match at Bukhungu since the untimely demise of Homeboyz defender Silas Abungana, who last featured on the same turf during the club’s dramatic 3-3 draw against Mara Sugar FC on Sunday, 1 February.
Friday’s encounter, therefore, presents an opportunity for the hosts to honour their departed teammate in the most fitting way possible, with a spirited performance and maximum points.
Homeboyz head into the fixture buoyed by a commanding 4-1 victory over Bidco United last Friday in Murang'a, a result that emphatically restored belief following a brief wobble.
The emphatic triumph reignited their push up the standings as they seek to mount a serious challenge for their maiden FKFPL crown, a title that has narrowly eluded them in recent seasons.
Currently fifth on the 18-team table with 31 points, Abana Beingo trails leaders Gor Mahia by 12 points, albeit with a game in hand.
A win on Friday would significantly narrow the deficit to nine points and inject renewed energy into their title ambitions.
The 2023 Mozzart Bet Cup champions have built a formidable reputation at home, having lost just once at Bukhungu since October 2025, a 2-0 defeat to Nairobi United.
Their defensive solidity, combined with attacking ruthlessness, has transformed their backyard into a fortress, a factor they will be keen to exploit once more.
Speaking ahead of the clash, the Homeboyz assistant captain Potiphar Odhiambo underlined the dual motivation driving the squad.
“The match is a must-win for us because we are fighting to narrow the gap at the top. But above all, it is a fight to send off one of our own, Silas. We are surely going to fight for him,” he stated in an interview with Mozzart Sport.
“We still believe we have a chance to win the title despite the gap. Every upcoming match counts, and we will fight until the final whistle,” added the former NSL 2021/22 Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Standing in their way, however, is a wounded but desperate Sofapaka side determined to revive a struggling campaign.
The 2009 league champions are rooted at the bottom of the table with 14 points and find themselves firmly entrenched in the relegation battle, a scenario unfamiliar to a club that has maintained top-flight status for 17 years.
A poor spate of results prompted the former league champions to end ties with head coach Ezekiel Akwana following a heavy 3-0 defeat to Gor Mahia.
The loss forced the club to turn to veteran tactician Juma Abdallah, who was subsequently appointed in a bid to immediately steady the ship from sinking further.
Yet his tenure has begun under difficult circumstances, with the former Murang’a Seal coach still searching for his first point since taking charge.
We go fighting once again this afternoon from 1:00 PM in Silas Abungana honour
— Kakamega Homeboyz FC (@FcHomeboyz) February 20, 2026
For his final respect,let's turn up in our numbers at Bukhungu Stadium to bid him a befitting send-off.
Entry is 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 of charge
Forever In Our Hearts,Silas pic.twitter.com/Xb5aR5dmbk
Last week, Abdallah faced his former side in a dramatic encounter but fell short, suffering a narrow 3-2 defeat.
The setback compounded Sofapaka’s struggles and heightened the urgency ahead of their trip to Kakamega.
The reverse fixture earlier this season saw Homeboyz secure a narrow 1-0 victory courtesy of Josphat Lopaga’s decisive strike.
The hosts will now be aiming to complete a season double, while Sofapaka will view the encounter as an opportunity for redemption.
Although Homeboyz emphatically triumphed 5-0 in their last meeting at Bukhungu in November 2023, last season’s clash at Mumias Sports Complex ended in a goalless stalemate, a reminder that fixtures between the two sides can swing either way.
With contrasting ambitions sharply defined, Homeboyz chasing historic silverware and Sofapaka battling to escape the foot of the table, Friday’s encounter is poised to deliver a compelling spectacle.