kakamega Homeboyz sink newbies Vihiga United

Debutants Vihiga United were given a dose of tough love by their elder bothers Kakamega Homeboyz who beat them 2-1 in a Kenyan Premier League match at the Bukhungu Stadium on Saturday.

A brace from Noah Wafula gave Homeboyz the three points with second half substitute Dennis Wafula managing a late consolation goal for Vihiga.

Former Tusker attacker Wafula, who made to the starting line-up for the first time this season, struck in the 2nd and 44th minute to sink the Vihiga County Government-sponsored outfit.

It was a match which saw both teams miss a host of chances as they fought to with the regional bragging rights in the charged encounter that saw supporters from both sides engaging each other in supremacy war of words.

Homeboyz coach Mike Mururi deployed Allan Wanga and Noah Wafula to lead the attacks, a combination that worked perfectly well.

Vihiga coach Edward Manoah filled two strikers- ictor Ayugi, who was signed from Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and Chris Masinza in the hunt for goals upfront.

Homeboyz launched quick attacks and were punished for leaving their defence unmanned as Wafula pounced on a defensive lapse to hit the top of the roof past former AFC Leopards custodian Barnabas Tiema for the opener in the 2nd minute.

Vihiga responded with a counter attack, but strikers Ayugi and Masinza met stiff resistance from Homeboyz defensive kingpin James Situma, who was signed from Tusker at the beginning of the season.

Allan Wanga, who was signed from Tusker this season, could have widened the score margin for Homeboyz when Ali Ahmed put him through only to shot in the hands of custodian Tiema in the 14th minute.

Centre referee Andrew Juma yellow carded Patrick Okullo of Vihiga after he fouled Esiye Estone in the 33rd minute.

Juma flashed another yellow card to Vihiga’s Vincent Wanda for rough play against Moses Mudavadi of Homeboyz in the 34th minute.

As the match headed to the breather, Homeboyz striker Wafula rounded up defender Jonathan Mugabi before he over stretched custodian Tiema to score the second goal.

After half time, Homeboyz coach Mururi substituted Estone, Wafula and Wanga. They were replaced by Festo Omukoto, Wycliffe Opondo and Lamine Diallo.

Manoah on the other hand, replaced Michael Isabwa and Chris Masinza with Denis Wafula and Godfrey Airo in the 56th and 58th minutes respectively.

Juma booked Homeboyz midfielder Smith Ouko after a dangerous play on David Kavaji in the 64th minute.

As the match gained momentum, Vihiga’s Dennis Wafula pulled a goal back for the newcomers in the 73rd minute.

Mururi attributed his team’s victory to proper co-ordination among his players on the field.

“The entire squad played well. Everybody contributed to the win and it’s upon us to sustain the winning form,” he said.

Manaoh admitted that the match was tough.

“We put in our best. The players worked hard and I am proud of them ” he noted.