Africa-Press – Kenya. Kakamega Homeboyz deepened Sofapaka’s relegation woes with a controlled 2-0 victory at Bukhungu Stadium on Friday, a result that sent third and into the title race while leaving their opponents staring at an uncertain future.
Joseph Thiong’o wasted no time in stamping his authority on the contest, firing Homeboyz ahead in just the third minute. The early strike set the tone for an afternoon in which the hosts dictated tempo, pressed with intent and rarely allowed Sofapaka room to breathe.
Shafik Batambuze sealed the result in the 80th minute, timing his run perfectly before finishing with composure to put the game beyond reach and spark celebrations among the home faithful.
The victory lifted Homeboyz to 34 points, pushing them above Shabana on goal difference despite both sides being level on points. For Sofapaka, however, the defeat left them rooted to the bottom of the standings with just 14 points, their survival hopes hanging by a thread.
Homeboyz head coach Patrick Odhiambo praised his players for their intensity and discipline, particularly the blistering start that unsettled the visitors.
“We spoke before the game about starting on the front foot,” Odhiambo said. “When you score in the third minute, it changes the entire dynamic. The boys executed the plan perfectly. We pressed high, we moved the ball quickly, and we forced Sofapaka into mistakes.”
Thiong’o’s early goal came from sustained pressure, with Homeboyz winning possession high up the pitch before slicing through Sofapaka’s backline. It was the kind of assertive opening Odhiambo has been demanding in recent weeks.
“We’ve been working on our transitions and decision-making in the final third,” he added. “Joseph showed great awareness and composure. That’s what we need — players who can make the right choices in tight moments.”
Despite the bright start, Sofapaka gradually found some rhythm midway through the first half, enjoying spells of possession without truly threatening the Homeboyz goal. Their final ball often lacked precision, and when openings did appear, the finishing was hesitant.
Odhiambo acknowledged that his side had to remain patient after the opener.
“The danger when you score early is that you relax,” he said. “We told the players at halftime that 1-0 is always a risky scoreline. We needed to stay compact and disciplined. I’m happy we didn’t lose our shape.”
Batambuze’s late goal came at a crucial moment. Sofapaka had begun to push bodies forward in search of an equaliser, leaving spaces at the back. Homeboyz capitalised with a swift counterattack that ended with Batambuze calmly slotting home.
“That second goal was about game management,” Odhiambo noted. “We absorbed pressure and then punished them. Shafi’s timing was excellent, and his finish showed real experience.”
For Sofapaka, the story was painfully familiar — flashes of effort undone by lapses in concentration and a lack of cutting edge.
Head coach Juma Abdalla cut a frustrated figure at full-time but insisted his side had not given up the fight.
“We conceded too early, and that made things difficult,” Abdalla said. “When you’re at the bottom, confidence is fragile. An early goal against you can shake the team, and that’s what happened.”
Abdalla admitted that defensive errors have haunted his side throughout the campaign.
“We keep making the same mistakes,” he said. “At this level, if you switch off for a second, you get punished. We didn’t track runners well enough, and we allowed them too much space in key areas.”
However, he was quick to defend his players’ commitment.
“The effort is there,” Abdalla insisted. “The boys are working hard in training and they are trying in matches. But football is about results, and right now we are not getting them.”
Sofapaka’s struggles in front of goal were again evident at Bukhungu. Promising build-up play fizzled out in the final third, and clear chances were few and far between.
“We need to be braver in attack,” Abdalla said. “You cannot come to a place like Bukhungu and be timid. When opportunities come, you must take them. That’s the difference between winning and losing.”
For Homeboyz, the win was more than just three points. It signalled consistency in a tightly contested league season and kept their momentum alive heading into the next round of fixtures.
Odhiambo was cautious not to get carried away.
“Thirty-four points is good, but we are not satisfied,” he said. “The league is very competitive. One or two bad results can change everything. We must stay focused and keep improving.”
He also highlighted the importance of squad depth as the season enters a decisive phase.
“Every player must be ready,” Odhiambo added. “Injuries and suspensions happen. What matters is that whoever steps onto the pitch understands our identity and plays with intensity.”
As the final whistle echoed around Bukhungu, the contrast between the two sides was stark. Homeboyz walked off buoyed by belief and upward momentum. Sofapaka trudged away knowing that time is running out to salvage their season.
Abdalla remains hopeful, but realistic about the challenge ahead.
“We are in a difficult position, there’s no hiding from that,” he said. “But until it’s mathematically over, we will fight. Football can change quickly. We just need one result to spark belief.”
For now, though, it is Homeboyz who continue to climb, while Sofapaka remain anchored at the foot of the table, searching for answers in a season that grows more unforgiving by the week.
