Year in Review: Kakamega Homeboyz reach continental heights

Homeboyz lost the title to Tusker FC in the final day of the season with the brewers reigning supreme on goal difference after both teams garnered 66 points.

The following 2022-2023 season saw Homeboyz drop to eighth in the league standings after failing to replicate their imperious form in the previous season.

However, the Kakamega-based side managed a sweet revenge over Tusker in the final of the FKF Cup to earn their first silverware.

Before facing Tusker in the final, Homeboyz had to dispatch a familiar foe in AFC Leopards whom they beat 2-1 courtesy of Kevin Amwayi’s brilliance.

Amwayi provided a sumptuous assist for Moses Shummah who scored the opener for Homeboyz before he doubled the lead inside two minutes.

Leopards would pull one back late into the stoppage time but Homeboyz held on for the win to book a date with Tusker-who edged Ulinzi Stars in semis- in the final.

The fact that Tusker lost their league title to Gor Mahia set up a high stakes final with Homeboyz who were keen to inflict more misery on the Brewers.

Just like in the semis, Kevin Amwayi rose to the occasion as he scored the all-important goal to propel his side to their first major trophy.

Furthermore, Homeboyz bagged Sh2 million in prize money and also earned the right to represent Kenya at the 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup.

CAF Confederations Cup

With the FKF Cup in store, Homeboyz embarked on another unfamiliar but exciting journey at the continental second-tier tournament.

The Kenyan side were handed a tricky tie against Al Hilal Beghazi of Libya in the preliminary stage of the tournament.

Homeboyz started in a frustrating barren stalemate at Bukhungu Stadium setting up an uphill task in the return leg in Libya and head coach Patrick Odhiambo was aware of the enormous task that awaited them in North Africa.

"If we could have been clinical in front of goal by scoring from all the chances we created then we could have won comfortably.

That is where there was a problem because my boys were delaying with the ball, making many touches on the ball and that allowed the opponents to regroup to thwart any danger in their goal post.

But from my general assessment I think and I am optimistic things won’t be hard in Libya as such", Odhiambo said then.

Homeboyz were however outwitted 4-1 to exit the competition in the opening round.

Homeboyz began the 2023-2024 league campaign on the wrong foot after losing by a solitary goal to newcomers Muranga Seal.

They bounced back to beat Tusker FC 2-1 and get their season underway before holding defending champions Gor Mahia to a one-all draw.

With the league taking a two-week Christmas break after 16 rounds of matches, Homeboyz are fourth on the log with 27 points, seven behind leaders Gor.

They resume league duties on January 7, with an away fixture to Police FC.