The rise and rise of K. Homeboyz

Discipline, hard work and divine support from club chairman are the cornerstone to Kakamega Homeboyz’s impeccable run in the 2017 Kenyan Premier League.

Homeboyz have defied the bookmakers’ odds with eye- catching displays this term which has seen them rise in the league table to claim position three on 45 points.

This puts them 15 points adrift of leaders Gor Mahia who are on 60 points .They tie with second placed Sofapaka  though the Batoto ba Mungu have a superior goal difference .

The team’s technical director, Alfred Imonje, maintains that their impeccable run has not been by sheer luck but as a result of concerted team effort, adding that the playing unit, technical bench and the chairman all work as a team to see to the success.

“The boys are always working extra hard in all their matches and they pray to God for divine support,” Imonje said, “We treat our matches with the seriousness it deserves; be it at home or away, they all count.”

Having been promoted back to the top tier after winning the 2015 National  Super League(NSL),the Kakamega based side has stamped its authority in Western region elbowing Nzoia Sugar(position 8), power house AFC Leopards(position 13)and Western Stima(position 17).

Imonje infact pays glowing tribute to the chairman for his support, noting that it has impacted positively on the performance of the Mike Mururi coached side.

“The management is giving us the full support we want. They pay salaries, allowances and bonuses on time,” Imonje, who has previously coached the Somalia national football team, said.

Fortress 

Homeboyz who play their home matches at Mumias Sports Complex since the closure of Bukhungu Stadium in 2015 for renovation, have turned their home ground into a fortress.“When we are playing at home we want nothing but a win.”

Imonje is however warning their league rivals to brace for tougher times when they make their much awaited return to Bukhungu Stadium where he reckons it will be even harder to break them.

“At Bukhungu it will be tougher (for visiting teams) because we have bigger support in Kakamega town than in Mumias,”Imonje warned.

In order to augment their steady rise and ensure that the gains made are not lost, club chairman Cleophas ‘Toto’ Shimanyula says he is scouting for a team sponsor to hand them the financial stability.

Shimanyula says he’s been bankrolling the club through the proceeds from his flourishing matatu business in Kakamega town.

“Now that we have got no sponsor, we have organized ourselves to ensure everything runs seamlessly. The little I get from my business is what is supporting the club,” he said.

In its giant- killing spree, Homeboyz fell Ulinzi Stars 1-0 in their last match at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru. They are set to face Nzoia Sugar, Gor Mahia, Posta Rangers, Chemelil and Muhoroni Youth, in what will be a defining run of fixtures.