Homeboyz surrender lead thrice to Mara Sugar in thrilling six-goal stalemate

Kakamega Homeboyz thrice surrendered the lead in a six-goal thriller that saw them share the spoils with Mara Sugar FC following a 3-3 draw at the Bukhungu Stadium.

Abana Beingo approached the fixture knowing that only maximum points would keep their maiden title ambitions firmly alive.

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For Mara Sugar, anchored perilously near the foot of the relegation zone, the assignment carried equal weight as they sought to escape the drop and end a troubling six-match winless run.

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The encounter opened at a measured tempo, with both sides cautiously feeling their way into the contest during the opening five minutes.

Once settled, Homeboyz quickly seized control and carved out the first meaningful opening through Oliver Majaka.

The Kenya U-20 midfielder was released by Peter Thiong’o, danced past his markers and was brought down inside the area, prompting referee intervention.

Potiphar Odhiambo stepped up and calmly sent goalkeeper Joseph Ogenda the wrong way to hand the hosts an early lead.

Homeboyz nearly doubled their advantage in the 12th minute following a swift counter-attack initiated by Majaka deep in his own half.

Henry Omollo burst down the flank before squaring for Thiong’o, but the former AFC Leopards skipper blazed over with only the goalkeeper to beat.

The pressure continued to mount, and moments later, Omollo struck the post with a teasing volley after latching onto a long ball from Boniface Onyango.

The 2023 Mozzart Bet Cup winners continued to dictate proceedings, with Moses Mudavadi coming close after ghosting past the Mara defence onto a clever Glen Masava pass, only to drag his low drive narrowly wide.

Against the run of play, Mara Sugar drew level ten minutes before the half-hour mark.

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A hopeful ball from deep was recycled by Harun Thomas and fell invitingly to Alex Imbusia, who punished his former club with a curling effort beyond Simon Masaka to restore parity.

Buoyed by the goal, the visitors grew in confidence and almost snatched the lead when Timothy Ndayala combined neatly with Imbusia before unleashing a fierce drive that forced Masaka into a full-stretch save.

Homeboyz responded by raising the tempo once more, with Majaka again at the heart of their attacking play, but his close-range effort drifted wide.

Odhiambo also missed a golden chance late in the half, heading wide as the teams went into the break locked level.

The hosts returned from the interval with renewed urgency, and Majaka went close five minutes after the restart, his attempted lob narrowly missing the target.

Persistence finally paid off soon after when the lively attacker rose highest to power home a superb header from Onyango’s corner, restoring Homeboyz’ lead.

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Yet Mara Sugar refused to fold. Six minutes past the hour mark, Ndayala struck again, meeting Jimmy Owidi’s pinpoint delivery with a thumping flying header to level matters for the second time.

Homeboyz thought they had sealed the points in the 70th minute when Mudavadi’s dangerous ball into the area caused confusion, forcing defender Nassor Shikokoti into an unfortunate own goal.

But the visitors’ fighting spirit surfaced once more just two minutes later.

Another inswinging delivery from Owidi sparked chaos in the box, and the ball eventually rolled over the line to make it 3-3.

Despite both sides committing numbers forward in search of a late winner, resolute defending ensured the points were shared.

The result saw Kakamega Homeboyz surrender two vital points in their pursuit of a historic FKF Premier League crown, while for Mara Sugar, the hard-earned draw provided timely relief as they halted their two-game losing streak and breathed fresh life into their relegation survival bid.