Kakamega Homeboyz stand in coach David Juma intends to kick off his brief stay at the helm with victory in the inaugural Elijah Lidonde Cup this weekend at Bukhungu Stadium. Homeboyz elevated the veteran custodian to the rank of interim coach after sending the entire technical bench packing early in the week for what the club chairman Cleophas Shimanyula termed as gross misconduct and failure to hit last season’s target.The Elijah Lidonde Memorial Cup will be staged at the Bukhungu Stadium on Saturday and Sunday. AFC Leopards, Kakamega Homeboyz, Nzoia Sugar and Vihiga Bullets will grace the tournament.Prize Money Winner- 1MLosing Finalist-500kThird-place winner- 300KPlay-off loser-250k pic.twitter.com/6xy8rBmqXT— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) July 4, 2022 Juma is being assisted by former Kenyan international Ramadhan Balala and Hesbon Nyabinge.Homeboyz lost the league title to Tusker on goal difference grounds prompting the vocal club administrator to invoke his powers that left a handful of the members of technical bench out of employment.Sports journalists equipped with vital anti-doping teams ahead of major athletics championshipsWith Homeboyz set to face AFC Leopards, Nzoia Sugar, Vihiga Bullets and other local clubs in the tournament, Juma says he is determined to console the fans who are still nursing the heartbreak borne from the failed attempt to clinch the maiden league title.”The tournament means a lot to us and we will approach it with the seriousness that it deserves. Considering that we are playing at our backyard, we ought to win not only for us but also for our fans,” said the former Gor Mahia goalkeeper.Juma who termed the tournament as an avenue to kick off the pre-season activities revealed that the club will do without the input of Ghanaian midfielder Stephen Opoku who is injured.Former Harambee Stars midfielder, Ramadhan Balala and Hesbon Nyabinge are currently handling Kakamega Homeboyz’s training sessions. The duo will be in charge of the team during the Elijah Lidonde Cup on Saturday and Sunday.#FKFPL pic.twitter.com/o4y3XyPHvn— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) July 7, 2022 Opoku who joined Homeboyz in February last year from Tanzanian side Singida United hurt himself in training and will consequently catch the proceedings from the stands.”The tournament will give us a picture of where we are and what needs to be improved on heading to the pre-season. All the players are available for selection apart from Opoku,” added the former Western Stima man.
