Kakamega Homeboyz lifted their maiden piece of major silverware when they stunned Tusker FC 1-0 with Kevin Amwayi netting the lone goal in the Mozzart Bet Cup final staged at the Kasarani Stadium on Saturday 1 July.
Tusker had the opportunity to score first in the fifth minute when Shami Kibwana dribbled down the left flank before finding Jackson Macharia, but the latter hit the ball straight into the palms of Farouk Shikalo.
Homeboyz created probably the most controversial chance of the match in the 10th minute when Moses Shummah got on to the end of a through ball and hit the ball before it hit Brian Bwire’s right post and bounced back toward him.
The ball then hit the crossbar and the goalline, appearing to initially cross the line, but the replay showed the ball had not fully crossed the line, leaving the score goalless, but only just.
Tusker continued living on the edge and in the 15th minute, nearly went a goal down yet again when Kevin Amwayi’s ferocious shot hit the upright yet again.
In the 19th minute, Homeboyz had yet another opportunity to score when a move initiated by Shummah when he dropped deep to link up play ended up with Amwayi having another attempt, but Tom Teka deflected it which helped Bwire tip the ball over the bar for another corner kick.
In the 21st minute, Shummah missed a glorious opportunity to put Homeboyz ahead when Amwayi hit a dangerous cross in the box, but the Kenyan international hit the ball wide when he got on the end of the cross.
The Brewers finally created their first chance for a while as Shami Kibwana nonchalantly evaded pressure off the left flank before unleashing a ferocious shot that forced Homeboyz custodian Shikalo into making a brilliant save.
There was a momentary pause in the 30th minute when Tusker captain Humphrey Mieno and Homeboyz skipper Moses Mudavadi clashed heads that required them to receive medical attention.
The second half started relatively quietly but sprang to life in the 56th minute when Kibwana hit the shot straight at Shikalo. Homeboyz got a chance of their own just moments later from a counterattack when Moses Mudavadi tested Bwire with a ferocious shot from the right flank.
Homeboyz head coach Patrick Odhiambo then saw yellow for complaining after the referee allowed play to go on while Brian Chala went down injured in the 63rd minute.
Homeboyz finally went ahead in the 72nd minute when Amwai unleashed a ferocious shot past Bwire after a well-constructed counter-attacking move. Homeboyz fans then caused pandemonium in the stands.
Tusker just could not find a way to crawl back into the game, and in the end, Kakamega Homeboyz would make history by winning their maiden trophy and qualify for next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
Tusker FC Line Up: Brian Bwire, Daniel Sakari Boniface Onyango, Thomas Teka, Charles Momanyi, Humphrey Mieno, Shami Mwinyi Kibwana, Deogracious Ojok, Siwa Shapan (Stewart Omondi 80’), Jackson Macharia (Rodgers Ouma 67’), Mike Oduor (Eric Mmata 80’)
Kakamega Homeboyz Line Up: Farouk Shikalo, Collins Odhiambo, Ambunya Erick, Robinson Kamura, Brian Chala, Estone Esiye, Moses Mudavadi, Hillary Otieno, Shummah Moses, Ambrose Sifuna (Felicen Okanda 69’), Kevin Amwayi (Brian Buleti 87’)
