Homeboyz switch off Stima as fire men Ulinzi flatten Bandari

Kakamega Homeboyz moved up into second on the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) standings with a 2-0 victory over Western Stima at Bukhungu Stadium Sunday.

Ken Onyango and Ali Bhai were on the score-sheet to fire the hosts to 17 points, just one shy of league leaders Gor Mahia FC who hammered AFC Leopards 4-1 at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.

The match was unpredictable in the opening proceedings as the two sides each missed open chances until the 35th  when Onyango easily tapped in a cross after a mix up with the Stima defenders inside the six-yard box.

Stima pulled one back almost instantly but the linesman raised his flag for offside.

Homeboyz were not done yet as Ali Bhai shook the net in the 42nd minute to earn his team the winner.

Coach Nicholas Muyoti of Kakamega Homeyz was elated with the win moreso after his boys utilized the first half break chances to take the lead hailing his defence for a spirited fight in the last 10 minutes of the game and is hopeful they will show a similar resolve against leaders Gor Mahia next week.

“My boys played well, we kept the clean sheet and I am hoping we shall replicate the same against Gor,” Muyoti said.

Western Stima tactician Salim Babu promised to bounce back against Tusker next week.

“We played well but lost against a solid side, I want to assure fans we are going to improve against Tusker,” he said.

Elsewhere at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, Bandari succumbed to yet another defeat falling 0-1 to Ulinzi Stars .

Oscar Wamwala’s 13th minute goal was only all the military men needed to collect three important points.

Wamalwa controlled Harun Mwale’s cross against Felly Mulumba before putting it past Mustapha Oduor for the winner.

Ulinzi Stars were forced to make an early substitution after Ibrahim Shambi was tackled by Sosthenes Idah in the second minute of the match and Kelvin Thairu was introduced in his place.

In the second half Mwalala brought in Benard Otieno and Shaban Kenga to try and hunt for goals but Ulinzi defence stood tall.

Ulinzi Stars goalkeeper Timothy Odhiambo had to make a tipping save to deny Yema Mwana an equaliser in the 70th minute as the Dockers launched a strong fightback.

The Dockers who were knocked out of the Confederations Cup lost to Western Stima on Wednesday in Kisumu and will welcome AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia in a span of four days after the international break.

Report by Joseph Saasia and Luqman Mahmoud