Despite recording a 2-1 SportPesa Premier League win over Mathare United yesterday at Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega Homeboyz coach Nicholas Muyoti is worried of the loopholes in his defence line.
Homeboyz returned to their winning ways following their last week midweek 2-1 loss to Gor Mahia but Muyoti expressed displeasure with his team’s inability to keep clean sheets. The former Nzoia Sugar coach said scoring goals by his forwards was assured but rued the defensive lapses which he observed were rampant for the four league matches he had overseen since joining from the Millers.
He said: “I am glad we got the win today but I am worried about my defence which hardly keeps clean sheets. I am not worried about goals as my striking front is good and their goal converting is quite good. We have to work on our defence and work more on keeping possession which will enable us to create chances and frustrate opponents when we are leading rather than resorting to time wasting.”
Mathare who had absconded training for the better part of last week in protest to their unpaid January and February dues paid heavily for it as they surrendered their 1-0 lead to remain three points behind league leaders Sofapaka who they were gunning to topple prior to the match.
The 2008 league champions got off to a flying start as speedy winger James Kinyanjui beat David Juma to give them the lead barely two minutes into the game. However, veteran forward Allan Wanga restored parity for Homeboyz in the 18th minute a goal which saw him take his tally to nine this season one ahead of his closest challenger and Ulinzi Stars forward Enosh Ochieng.
Congolese forward Max Ravel’s 32nd-minute goal proved to be the difference between the two sides as his Homeboyz held till the final whistle to take their tally to 24 points. Meanwhile, Stephen Owusu’s strike was enough to earn Wazito a hard-fought win over Fortune Sacco to proceed to the last sixteen of the SportPesa Shield. The victory came 24 hours after the club announced that Fred Ambani will take over as their new coach and this was his first victory at the helm.
Ingwe easily brushed aside Division One League side Transfoc 4-0 at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega. Earlier on at the same venue, Kariobangi Sharks were 5-0 winners over Division Two League side Elim FC.
The biggest upsets of the day were the elimination of top tier sides Ulinzi Stars and Sofapaka on post-match penalties at the hands of SS Assad and Bungoma Super Stars respectively. NSL sides Ushuru and Kisumu All Stars also lost their respective matches to Vihiga Sportif and Muranga Seal respectively.
