Kakamega Homeboyz go top after skinning AFC Leopards alive

Kakamega Homeboyz ground out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AFC Leopards in a fiercely contested FKF Premier League clash staged at a packed Nyayo National Stadium, with Henry Omollo’s early strike proving decisive in a match played at an electrifying tempo.

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Omollo struck inside the opening minute to hand Homeboyz maximum points and the all-important bragging rights, as Patrick Odhiambo’s charges reclaimed top spot on the table in a fixture billed as a potential title-defining encounter.

With pride, supremacy, and league leadership at stake, both sides approached the contest with clear attacking intent, setting the tone for a pulsating derby that kept fans on edge throughout the 90 minutes.

Homeboyz made the perfect start, capitalising on a defensive lapse to take the lead almost immediately after kick-off.

A miscommunication between defender Musa Oundo and goalkeeper Humphrey Katasi gifted possession to Glen Masava, whose fierce strike was parried back into danger by the former Nzoia Sugar custodian.

Omollo reacted quickest, unleashing a thunderous finish past Katasi to hand the visitors a dream start.

Buoyed by the opener, Homeboyz continued to press.

Three minutes later, Derrick Otanga came close to doubling the advantage after being neatly picked out by Masava.

The former KCB talisman skipped past his marker, only to be denied by a timely and brave block from Samuel Semo.

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The 2023 Mozzart Bet Cup champions remained on the front foot, with Masava again testing his luck in the 10th minute following a slick move involving Hillary Otieno and Omollo, but his effort narrowly missed the target.

AFC Leopards thought they had restored parity two minutes later when Semo found the net following a swift counterattack down the left flank, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside in the build-up.

Homeboyz continued to threaten, with Otanga squandering a gilt-edged chance in the 18th minute after meeting Moses Mudavadi’s inviting cross, but the striker failed to apply the decisive touch.

Moments later, Omollo and Otieno combined once again, forcing Katasi into action, before Otieno’s long-range follow-up was comfortably gathered.

Leopards responded with a set-piece opportunity just before the half-hour mark, as Semo floated in a dangerous corner from the right.

However, Homeboyz goalkeeper Simon Masaka reacted sharply, punching clear to extinguish the danger.

As halftime approached, Masava rattled the upright with a ferocious 25-yard strike after Mudavadi dispossessed Boniface Munyendo, while Otieno missed a golden chance two minutes before the break as Homeboyz went into the interval holding a slender but deserved lead.

Seeking a way back into the contest, AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani rang the changes at the restart, introducing Kennedy Owino, Victor Otieno and Kelly Madada in a triple substitution that immediately injected urgency into Ingwe’s attack.

The substitutions nearly paid dividends when Madada tested Masaka with a powerful drive, forcing the goalkeeper into a fine one-handed save.

Moments later, Otieno’s low effort from close range was again denied by the alert Masaka, who stood firm as Leopards dominated possession.

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Homeboyz remained dangerous on the counter, with Oliver Majaka seeing his effort blocked by Owino, following clever interplay on the right flank.

Madada then came agonisingly close for Leopards, but Masaka once again rose to the occasion with a superb reflex save to preserve Homeboyz’ lead.

The end-to-end nature of the contest continued, with Majaka and James Kinyanjui both denied in quick succession by Katasi and Masaka respectively, before Otieno missed a late chance from close range that summed up Leopards’ frustration on the afternoon.

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That proved to be the final meaningful action as Kakamega Homeboyz held firm under sustained pressure to seal a vital victory.

The result propelled Homeboyz back to the summit of the FKF Premier League standings on 24 points, level with AFC Leopards and Tusker FC.

It also marked a timely return to winning ways for Odhiambo’s men, snapping a four-match winless run, while AFC Leopards saw their six-game unbeaten streak come to an end.