Kakamega Homeboyz have once again shot themselves on the foot in the march to their first ever league title after playing Kenya Police to a 2-2 draw at the Kasarani Annex.Homeboyz who were seeking to bounce back to winning ways after back to back draws against the 2009 league champions Sofapaka had to come from a goal twice for the point. With their closest challenger Tusker beating AFC Leopards 2-1 at the main stadium, the gap between Homeboyz and the beer makers has been reduced to six points.Full Time:Kenya Police 2-2 Kakamega HomeboyzGaetan Masha 22Okoth David 64′ pic.twitter.com/uQE2ayqSuG— Kakamega Homeboyz FC (@FcHomeboyz) April 24, 2022 Police took an early lead after Clinton Kinanga made good use of his height to poke home a freekick delivered by Clifton Miheso in the fifth minute. The towering forward had been fouled by Sylvester Owino, the second tallest player on pitch from the edge of the box, and would stretch his legs to tap the ball past Godfrey Oputi. Homeboyz tested Police goalkeeper Juma Reuben three minutes after conceding when David Okoth unleashed a ferocious ball just outside the box after Eston Esiye had been brought down but the former Sofapaka custodian was equal to the task. Okoth would narrowly miss the target again minutes later from another freekick from outside the box as Homeboyz sought to restore parity. The visitors leveled scores on 18 minutes through Gaetan Masha who tapped the ball into an empty net after Juma palmed a shot from Yema Mwamba into his path.Police stepped up after conceding and took control of the game but lack of razor-sharpened forward line saw their build ups count for nothing as the Homeboyz back line stood tall and thwarted all the attempts. The combination between Francis Kahata and Duke Abuya was a beauty to watch but their creativity couldn’t break the human wall that worked overtime to deal with the forwards. Homeboyz on the other hand appeared to struggle especially in the midfielder where the absence of Moses Mudavadi who is nursing an injury was felt as the transitions and rhythm in advancing to the Police area was way below par. In a bid to convert the chances created, Police rung the first change before the second half began with Alvin Mangeni coming in for David Oluoch. Mangeni who terrorised the defence with his pace was brought down in the box by Owino in the 60th minute in the full glare of centre referee Yasin Badir who pointed to the spot. Miheso stepped up to send Oputi the wrong way in the subsequent minute to throw Police on the lead again as well as net his eleventh of the season. Minnesota United manager heaps praise on Kenya defender after debutThe lead lasted for three minutes as Duncan Otieno scythed Yema in the box forcing Badir to award a spotkick that Okoth plundered home to draw Homeboyz level. After restoring parity, Homeboyz introduced the duo of Christopher Masinza and Stephen Opoku for Michael Isabwa and the weary Esiye. Police introduced Elvis Rupia for Francis Kahata minutes later. The two teams unsuccessfully wrestled each other in search for the winning goal in the remaining minutes of the game.Kakamega Homeboyz XI: Oputi Godfrey, Ambunya Erick, Odhiambo Collins Owino, Sylvester Eshihanda Brian, Wakanya Stephen, Esiye Eston (Stephen Opoku 66), Gaetan Masha, Isabwa Michael (Christopher Masinza 66), Okoth David, Yema Mwamba Unused substitutes: Stephen Otieno, Sunday Mutuku , Odiwuor George ,Evans Maliachi, Ali Bhai, Sifa, Michael KaramorKenya Police FC XI: Reuben Juma, Cornelius Lusaka, Musa Mohamed, Clifton Miheso, Duncan Otieno, Charles Ouma, Lesley Otieno (Alvin Mangeni 46)Kahata Francis (Elvis Rupia 74), Duke Abuya, David Oluoch, Clinton KinangaUnused substitutes: Bonphas Munyasa, Gedion Ogweno, Arvine Odoyo, Erick Kipkirui, Alex Lungaji
