Kakamega Homeboyz stun defending champs Gor Mahia with gritty draw in FKF Premier League clash

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Kakamega Homeboyz stun defending champs Gor Mahia with gritty draw in FKF Premier League clash

Festus Chuma 16:57 - 24.09.2023

Homeboyz and Gor Mahia share the spoils in a high-octane clash, with Mwinyi's strike cancelling out Omala's opener.

Kakamega Homeboyz drew 1-1 with Gor Mahia in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL)  match which was played at the Bukhungu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Homeboyz were keen to get their second win of the season  having beaten Tusker 1-0 in their previous game in last weekend.

Patrick Odhiambo made one change to the starting line-up that faced the Tusker as Farouk Shikalo replaced  goalkeeper James Ssetuba who had picked up an injury in the previous match.

Odhiambo's counterpart, Jonathan McKinstry also made one hange to the team that faced Nairobi City Stars with Ernest Wendo making his second appearance of the season.

Wendo replaced Rogers Mugisha who  started the game from the bench despite his good showing in their previous three matches.

The match got off to a lively start, and it was K'Ogalo who broke the deadlock eight minutes into the game following a good move by McKinstry 's side.

Patrick Sibomana controlled the ball brilliantly before playing through Benson Omala, who fired past  Homeboyz goalkeeper Benson Omala to make it 1-0 to Gor Mahia .

The goal did not come as a surprise as K'Ogalo had scored 9.1% of their goals in the first ten minutes of the game in the league this season.

Homeboyz, who have been praised for playing enterprising football under Odhiambo, tried to respond with a goal, but the  K’Ogalo defence made sure that their keeper, Omondi, was well-protected.

Moses Shuma had a chance to shoot at goal following a good move by the hosts, but  Gor Mahia defender Godfrey Ochieng  put his body on the line as he blocked the goal-bound shot.

At this stage, the momentum was with the visitors as the half-time break approached, and the visitors  came close to doubling their lead through Alpha Onyango and Sibomana.

Onyango's powerful shot was pushed away by Shikalo, who was alert, before Rwandese marksman Sibomana curled his effort narrowly wide.

Gor Mahia were leading 1-0 at the interval following a lively first half in Kakamega.

An enthralling second-half followed as Homeboyz  piled the pressure on the K’ogalo defence and they managed to level matters following some great work by Brian Chala.

The skillful player dribbled his way into the Gor Mahia box, before setting up Shami Mwinyi, who fired past  Kevin Omondi to make it 1-1, much to the delight of the home crowd.

It was end-to-end stuff as Omala was presented with a glorious opportunity to fire  Gor Mahia ahead after being sent through on goal with the hosts' defence badly exposed. 

However, Kevin Omondi proved why he was preferred ahead of the experienced Caleb Otieno as he pulled off a great save to deny the striker.

Omala was guilty of missing easy goal scoring opportunities on the night as he hit the upright, before firing wide of the target from close range.

Both teams launched late attacks in search of a late winning goal, but it never came and ultimately, Homeboyz , and Gor Mahia drew 1-1 following an exciting match.

The draw left Homeboyz  in 11th position in the standings, while Gor Mahia moved to second position second on the log. 

FKF Premier League Sunday results:

 KCB 0-0 Bandari

 Murang’a Seal 0-1 Posta Rangers 

Nairobi City Stars 2-1 Nzoia Sugar

Ulinzi Stars 1-0 Sofapaka

 Kakamega Homeboyz 1-1 Gor Mahia

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