FKF Premier League: Homeboyz stun AFC Leopards with late strike in derby

Photo Credit - Kakamega Homeboyz Media.

Kakamega Homeboyz dented AFC Leopards’ Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League title hopes following a comeback 2-1 victory at the new Dandora Stadium on Saturday.

Ingwe went into the fixture with slim hopes of remaining in the title challenge, had they won, but they were not able to keep onto their early lead in the battle as Abana Beingo recovered from a goal down to score and win the Ingo derby.

With only eight minutes played, Ingwe took the lead against the run of play when Victor Omune, finished off a neat pass past the stranded Homeboyz goalkeeper Ibrahim Wanzala.

In the 20th minute, Homeboyz came close to level matters when Eston Omengo provided a nice delivery from the right wing, and the ball landed on the head of Gospel Goyumba, who headed it towards goal.

The dangerous ball took a deflection off an Ingwe defender, but still found Homeboyz striker Moses Shumah in the dangerzone, but before he could prepare to shoot towards goal, Ingwe goalkeeper Levis Opiyo came out of his line to clear the situation.

Homeboyz’ continued to attack Ingwe and they were finally rewarded in the 45th minute when Shumah made amends from the missed opportunity, this time heading home past the stranded Opiyo to ensure the two sides went into the half-time break tied at 1-1.

After the break, Ingwe should have retaken the lead when Omune found himself with acres of space inside Homeboyz’s danger zone, but his effort was pushed out for a corner kick by Wanzala. Two minutes later, Homeboyz coach Francis Baraza, made a double change, Francis Omondi and Oliver Majak coming in for Kevin Amwayi and Gospel Otieno.

In the 65th minute, Homeboyz had another chance to take the lead for the first time, when Oliver Majak missed from inside the box, with Opiyo making another double save to deny him. Homeboyz Glen Otunga was then yellow-carded for an infringement before Shumah's afternoon came to a close after being replaced by Henry Omollo.

It was Omollo, who ended Ingwe’s hopes of snatching a point from the game, after he found the back of the net in the 85th minute. The win saw Homeboyz move above AFC Leopards to sit fifth on the 16-team league table with 38 points from 26 matches.

Meanwhile, Ingwe dropped to sixth with 37 points from 25 outings. They have secured nine wins, 10 draws and six defeats. On the other hand, Homeboyz have won nine matches, drawn 11 and lost six.

In another fixture at the same venue, Mathare United secured a 3-2 win against Posta Rangers.