CITIZENDIGITALKakamega Homeboyz blew away a golden opportunity of a first Kenya Premier League title to let Tusker FC lift it in the 2021-2022 season.
This is despite the controversies that surrounded the legitimacy of the league, under then FKF Caretaker Committee which had been appointed by former Cabinet Secretary for Sports Amina Mohammed after disbanding the Football Kenya Federation.
At some point, Homeboyz, then under coach Bernard Mwalala, had opened a 12-point lead at the summit, before they fell into slumber and started dropping points with a string of draws and defeat.
As the trend continued for the Kakamega based side, the Brewers on the other hand brilliantly won their matches, and made it 8 unbeaten.
Still, there was very little to separate Homeboyz and Tusker, by the close of the season. Both finished on 63 points but the brewers had a superior goal difference – four more than Homeboyz – much to the chagrin of the latter’s supporters.
And it was somehow dramatic. Losing against the title contenders Tusker, not playing against Kariobangi Sharks and FC Talanta who both did not show up on the match days as well as Mathare United being relegated and going down with Homeboyz would be three points, were among the many aspects that led to their unfortunate end.
Homeboyz chairman Cleophas ‘Toto’ Shimanyula shockingly moved to sack Mwalala and the entire technical bench, despite their inspiring run to refresh the team in readiness for the new season 2022-2023.
“I am very confident that this year Homeboyz (Kakamega) will win the league title. Everywhere I have been in charge, things have never been awkward,” Shimanyula said then, after the disappointment.
Shimanyula, who had brought on Mwalala on board soon after sacking Nicholas Muyoti, now the current Nairobi City Stars coach his inspiring run notwithstanding, believers they can challenge for the title in the current campaign.
Both coaches only served for just a season each, and now yet another youthful former Kenyan international John Baraza is at the helm. Shimanyula expects the former Sofapaka FC coach to deliver the title.
“We have signed very brilliant young boys who will help us. I am very sure that this season we have what it takes to win the league. This is the best team I have had compared to all the previous teams,” Shimanyula said.
Tusker head coach Robert Matano was over the moon after steering the team to dislodge early favorites Homeboyz.
“This is the title that has excited me most in all the 37 years of my coaching career. I have received it with mixed feelings”, Matano said.
At the publishing of this account, Tusker are unbeaten in this season’s league.
