Three Football Kenya Federation Premier League matches are set to be played in day one of the 2022-2023 season that has delayed for more than three months.The season was initially scheduled to kick off in August but the start dates were pushed forward as stakeholders fought for the return of sanctioned football.The highlight match of the day will see defending champions Tusker FC battle Kakamega Homeboyz at the Bukhungu Stadium.pic.twitter.com/YNkGWbcnju— Kakamega Homeboyz FC (@FcHomeboyz) November 16, 2022 The two teams battled it out for the league title last season before the Brewers manage to bag the title on goal difference in a season that many had predicted that Homeboyz would win their first-ever league title.Last season at Bukhungu, the hosts defeated Tusker 1-0 before the champions avenged with a 2-0 win at the Ruaraka Grounds. Overall, Bukhungu has been a good hunting ground for Robert Matano’s charges over the years and they will be hoping for a positive start when they head to Kakamega on Saturday.##NAJAVA_MECA_6828659##Things have changed at Homeboyz in the last few months. John Baraza already took over as head coach, replacing Bernard Mwalala. Players like Sylvester Owino, David Okoth, Stephen Wakanya, and Evans Maliachi are no longer with the team but Baraza, who returns to the top tier after two years in the lower leagues is ambitious.“Homeboyz is a big team and with very good potential looking at how young the squad is. I think this is a challenge that I am ready for. I am up to the task and I know I will do well. The team finished second last season and definitely there is pressure to ensure they maintain the performance. There is only one way; up. So we have our work cut out,” he said.The Brewers will be hoping for a strong start in the league as they have been slow starters in recent years.”It is true Tusker have been struggling in their opening games every season but we are determined to change history. The game will be a tough one because Homeboyz is a good team but if we give our best, and stick to our game plan then we have a chance of getting a win, we are confident heading into this game, “Tusker midfielder Rodgers Ouma saysIn another game lined up for the day, former champions Ulinzi Stars will take on depleted AFC Leopards at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata.Kamura among new faces at Kakamega HomeboyzWhile the Soldiers come into the bench boasting a strong muscle from their recent acquisitions, the same cannot be said of the Patrick Aussems-coached Leopards who will be without 10 of their players whose registration was rejected, something the coach say’s threw his plays for the match into disarray.”We trained with them with a focus on this match, and we have had to change the strategy we were to approach the game with following the development. However, I trust that the players I have will get the job done,” Aussems told Mozzart Sport.During the void season run by the FKF Caretaker Committee, this fixture as it is did not take place after the host’s ambulance lacked some vital equipment, prompting the visiting Leopards to protest the match.##NAJAVA_MECA_6827621##However, the Soldiers will not only be fronting new players, a new coach, and a new stadium, but also first aid facilities around the complex if the need for one arises.With some of their defensive names not available for selection, Ingwe will probably field a makeshift backline that will have to be at the best against a sleek and lethal Ulinzi attack line thanks to their signings.However, the Soldiers have not been at their best defensively as it is known of them and perhaps that will be an area that Ingwe will want to capitalize on if it presents itself.On the road against Ulinzi, Ingwe have been the better side, with Ulinzi’s last win at home coming in 2018 but they could have more motivation to win this encounter with a historic match ahead of them.Meanwhile, record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia will be seeking to kick life in the season on a positive note when they host Nzoia Sugar in the country’s second largest sporting facility.##NAJAVA_MECA_6827623##Gor have certainly not been at their best in the past two campaigns and will hoping to reclaim the title they lost to Tusker and return to the lucrative CAF Champions League.Before then, the Jonathan McKinstry coached side will wish for a good start into the campaign and build on it to achieve the target.While McKinstry who will be debuting in the league remains confident of having a good season, his Nzoia counterpart Salim Babu says that their eyes are fixed on scooping the three points the quality of the opponent and the support from their fan base notwithstandingNzoia’s Babu eyeing Gor Mahia scalpBabu revealed that he will miss the services of centre back Salim Odeka and forward Yasin Sije due to an injury and illness respectively.”We have prepared well for the season and I believe we will start well. We haven’t been doing well in the opening matches in the past two to three seasons due to player exodus but I am glad we managed to keep the team intact,” he said.Additional reporting by Kisenge Meshack and Kevin Teya
