A monumental clash highlights the end of the 2022/23 football season calendar as Kakamega Homeboyz square out with bogey team Tusker in the final of the Mozzart Bet Cup slated this afternoon at the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) in Kasarani from 3PM. Having both missed out on the league title, the latter by a whisker, these two teams meet for the third time this season with Tusker tails up from identical 1-0 wins over their rivals. This however, is a statistic that easily flies out of the window considering Homeboyz’s path to the final – and the club’s hunger at bagging a continental berth. Despite suffering an earlier Cup scare when the Mozzart Bet Cup round of 32 drew them against little known Div 2 side Shalimar FC, the Bukhungu based side would rise from adversity to knock out seasoned Cup giants as AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia and Kariobangi Sharks. First came Gor Mahia in the round of 16 for Homeboyz, and a solitary goal from Hillary Juma settled the contest, the defending champions bowing out honourably. Sharks would be up next for Patrick Odhiambo’s men and a 6-2 whooping was enough statement. AFC Leopards would suffer the same fate as Gor and Sharks despite starting the semi-final on the front-foot.Coach Robert Matano’s men haven’t had it easier making it to the final. Starting off with Rainbow FC, the brewers would face premier league opposition from the quarter-final level including face-offs against Kenya Commercial Bank and Ulinzi Stars in the semi-final.Squad depth will play a huge role in this afternoon’s clash as both teams boast tremendous options within their ranks. Coach Odhiambo welcomes his number 10 Moses Mudavadi who has been out on injury towards the closing stages of the game and he is expected to contest for a starting berth against on-song Hillary Otieno.Moses Shumah, arguably the forward with the most to prove in this final having earned his maiden caps recently will definitely start. To back him up are veteran Enock Agwanda and Michael Karamor for the centre-forward role. Homeboyz have a wide range of options in the midfield, both central and wide. Mid-season acquisitions Ambrose Sifuna and Felicien Okanda have proved their worth both in the cup and the league and if fully fit, will provide the attacking width. Tusker seek redemption in Mozzart Bet Cup final against Kakemega Homeboyz##NAJAVA_MECA_7347256##Seasoned Estone Esiye, captaining the side in their 3-2 win over Gor Mahia in the league’s penultimate clash is a sure starter tomorrow, probably backed by Hillary Juma in central midfield. Coach Odhiambo’s defense line hasn’t changed much in the season and should Brian Eshihanda be fit from a knock he picked in the league, he will walk right back into his favoured centre-back role. The brewers come into the final heavy on the attack. Stewart Omondi nearly recorded the league’s fastest hat-trick when he came off the bench against Vihiga Bullets last Sunday, scoring a brace in under two minutes, he would squander a third chance barely two minutes later. He had come one for former Homeboyz hero Shami Kibwana who had also scored in the clash. Deogratius Ojok will likely start upfront for Matano, probably backed by Erick Otieno from the bench. The central midfield boasts a pantheon of experience with Humphrey Mieno likely to take the lead alongside Shaphan Siwa and Rodgers Ouma. At the back, Charles Momanyi and Tom Teka are likely candidates even though Michael Kibwage and Boniface Onyango are also available for selection. Daniel Sakari and Levin are expected to start out wide on the defence. The head to head numbers for the two finalists heavily favour Tusker, with seven wins in the last eight meetings in the league. Homeboyz’s 1-0 win in December 2021 is their last favourable performance against the brewers. It’s a domestic cup final though, and on such occasions, numbers could count the least. Kakamega Homeboyz looking to make history ahead of Mozzart Bet Cup final against TuskerUlinzi Stars will play for third place honours against AFC Leopards from 12 PM after which the finalists take to the field for the ultimate prize. Gates open from 10 AM and tickets will be charged at Ksh 200 for regular seats and Ksh 500 for the VIP section. Football Academies with children from the U15 categories will not be charged at the gates.
