Kakamega Homeboyz honour fallen defender with convincing win over Sofapaka FC
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Reading Time: 4min | Fri. 20.02.26. | 15:35
It marked Homeboyz’s first victory in nearly three months, lifting them to third on the log and cutting the gap to Gor Mahia to nine points
Kakamega Homeboyz emphatically dispatched Sofapaka FC 2-0 in the opening fixture of Round 21, putting on a composed display at Bukhungu Stadium.
The hosts stamped their authority early and maintained control throughout the contest, with goals in each half from Peter Thiong'o and Shafik Batambuze proving decisive.
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With maximum points at stake and emotions running high, Kakamega Homeboyz rose to the occasion, winning the match in honour of their late defender, Silas Abungana.
Driven by the dual motivation of closing the gap on league leaders Gor Mahia and paying tribute to their departed teammate, Homeboyz approached the fixture with clarity of purpose.
For Sofapaka, the 2009 league champions, the mission was equally urgent: escape the foot of the table and breathe life into a faltering campaign.
The hosts wasted no time asserting their authority.
From the first whistle, they pressed high, moved the ball with urgency, and pinned Sofapaka deep inside their own half.
Their early dominance bore fruit just three minutes into the contest.
©Rodgers Odhiambo After Henry Omollo was brought down 25 yards from goal, Eston Omengo stepped up and delivered a teasing ball into the danger area.
Goalkeeper Brian Olang’o failed to deal decisively with the delivery, spilling it into the path of Thiongo, who reacted quickest to nod into an empty net and hand Homeboyz a dream start.
Seven minutes later, the hosts nearly doubled their lead.
Oliver Majaka raced through the Sofapaka backline to latch onto Rodgers Ouma’s incisive split pass, but Olang’o redeemed himself with a timely save to deny the youthful forward.
Sofapaka, however, were not without moments of threat.
Two minutes before the quarter-hour mark, Clifton Miheso unleashed a looping volley that forced Ibrahim Wanzala into a sharp backpedalling save, tipping the ball over the bar.
The contest settled into a cagey midfield battle thereafter, though chances continued to emerge at both ends.
In the 25th minute, Potiphar Odhiambo pounced on a loose ball near Sofapaka’s area and unleashed a fierce drive that Olang’o punched away.
©Rodgers Odhiambo Moments later, Joseph Kuloba tested Wanzala with a low drive after being picked out by Duncan Otieno, but the Homeboyz custodian was equal to the task.
As the half progressed, Homeboyz remained the more composed side.
Thiong'o squandered a promising opportunity from Glen Masava’s pass, while Malick Ntamba threatened for Sofapaka with a dangerous run down the left that required defensive intervention from Shafik Batambuze.
Five minutes before the break, Omollo came agonisingly close to doubling the lead.
A flowing move involving Omengo, Batambuze and Majaka ended with Omollo striking the woodwork from close range, sending the hosts into halftime with a slender but deserved advantage.
Homeboyz resumed with the same intensity.
Masava and Majaka both tested the Sofapaka defence in quick succession, though without adding to the scoreline.
At the hour mark, Miheso again threatened for the visitors, connecting sweetly with a volley that Wanzala gathered confidently.
©Rodgers Odhiambo Minutes later, Francis Ghartey nearly capitalised on a miscommunication between Wanzala and John Omondi, but his looping effort drifted narrowly over the bar.
With Sofapaka pushing forward in search of parity, spaces began to open, and Homeboyz capitalised.
Ten minutes from time, Batambuze sealed the victory spectacularly.
After Erick Okutu was brought down on the right flank, the Ugandan international stepped up and curled a sublime free-kick delivery that evaded Olang’o and dipped into the net, sparking jubilant celebrations among the home faithful.
Substitutes Zinedine Wesonga and Okutu both came close to extending the lead further, but Sofapaka’s defence held firm to prevent additional damage.
At the final whistle, the result carried significance beyond the three points.
It marked Homeboyz’s first victory in nearly three months, lifting them to third on the log and cutting the gap to Gor Mahia to nine points in their pursuit of a historic first FKF Premier League title.
More poignantly, it served as a fitting tribute to Silas Abungana, a performance defined by collective resolve.
For Sofapaka, however, the defeat deepens their troubles. Rooted at the foot of the table with 14 points, the 2009 champions now face the grim reality of a looming relegation battle, one that threatens to end their 17-year stay in the top flight.