Kakamega Homeboyz head coach Peter Odhiambo is keen to improve when the Kenya Premier League matches resume this weekend.
The Kakamega-based team face Kenya Police on Saturday after the long Christmas and New Year holidays.
Speaking at the Bukhungu Stadium on Monday after falling to the AFC Leopards Junior side during a friendly match, Odhiambo said Homeboyz is ready to fight for more points and the title at the end of the season.
“I want to use my junior players in the team to bring change and we hope to perform well this year because we are in the title contest,” said Odhiambo.
He said junior players like Brian Wekesa, Oliver Majak, and Erick Ambunya among others have what it takes to deliver for the team at the end of the season.
He, however, slammed the poor officiating after the match was whistled off in the 24th minute of the second half. He said the team had good plans but that is well below his expectations.
“We were hoping to use today's friendly as part of our build-up but it was ended prematurely. We shouldn't put our interests before the game and we need to respect football,” said Odhiambo.
He complained that football could not be played in 24 minutes in the second half after playing 35 in the first half.
“I wish they could have played 24 minutes in both halves. Football has developed and we don’t want such things to happen. I wanted to test my junior players and see what they are capable of but the game was cut short prematurely,” he said.
Back on the field, Leopards' Christopher Koloti scored the only goal to seal the 1-0 victory against Homeboyz.
Koloti weaved past four defenders to beat Farouk Shikalo in the only shot on target in the 40th minute.
The home side had dominated in both halves with Leopards keeper Samuel Kusimbi very busy between the posts amid fantastic saves from Homeboyz strikers.
Wekesa almost equalized for Momeboyz after the score but Kusimbi was alert and tipped the ball over the bar.
Homeboyz are currently fourth with 27 points from 16 matches and play 10th-placed Police. The Law Enforcers have 21 points from a similar number of matches.
In other key weekend fixtures, leaders Gor Mahia play Posta Rangers while immediate champions Tusker take on KCB.
Weekend KPL fixtures
Saturday
Nairobi City Stars vs FC Talanta
Shabana vs Muhoroni Youth
Kenya Police vs kakamega Homeboyz
Posta Rangers vs Gor Mahia
Bandari vs Nzoia Sugar
Sunday
Kariobangi Sharks vs Murang’a Seal
Sofapaka vs Bidco United
AFC Leopards vs Ulinzi Stars
KCB vs Tusker FC
