A game that had so much in stake was decided in two minutes of absolute chaos as the duo of Kevin Amwayi and Moses Shummah drove the dagger into AFC Leopards hearts in the first half, marking a memorable 2-1 victory for the visitors in an eventful game at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday afternoon – one that secured a place for the team in the finals for their first time in club history.Cliff Nyakeya would deep into added time stroke in a consolation but the deal was done and the goose was cooked.##NAJAVA_MECA_7268604##Kakamega Homeboyz were heading to the Mozzart Bet Cup final in a crunch tie against Tusker FC, and to say that they did it through hard graft would be an understatement.A sense of caution dominated the early possessions the Saturday afternoon clash at under the hot sun that didn’t seem to have any bearing on the huge AFC Leopards fanbase that made their presence felt on the multiple stands around the ground.A looping cross from Leopards right back Peter Thiong’o in hindsight, would be the only two opportunities the Ingwe fans dared mutter about after Jaffari Owiti had lashed his right foot shot at Farouk Shikhalo. Like a predator, the visitors offered the ball to the Leopard, looking vulnerable as every second ticked, but did look dangerous when they did get their chance.Hillary Juma had two of his shots deflected to the hands of Levis Opiyo, and soon enough, the patient side got into the driving seat.Afforded all the time and space on the left channel, Kevin Amwayi took his moment before lashing a left footed cross that seemed to surprise the entire AFC Leopards backline.FULL TIME Hii imeenda AFC Leopards 1 Kakamega Homeboys 2⚽️ Nyakeya #Betika #Bata#OursForever #INGWE— AFC Leopards SC (@AFCLeopards) May 20, 2023 Floating in isolated space, target man Moses Shummah sneaked in behind Lewis Bandi and Levis Opiyo to direct his headed ball into the net, making his way to the AFC Leopards fans stand that offered a push back to the celebrations as they hurled bottles to the Homeboyz party.The one minute of delirium was set to last longer.Kayci Odhiambo found himself in the land of the unknown- one that he had been treading on for the entire half an hour – and Amwayi was in hand to hand another killer shot.The former Ulinzi Stars man took a touch of the ball, swivelled past Thiong’o (face on the turf at this moment) before sneaking the ball underneath a sprawling Levis Opiyo to spark more celebrations in the Homeboyz stand.From looking bland to leading 2-0 inside 31 minutes, the hosts were clutching on straws, as Patrick Aussems wrung the changes – bringing on the duo of Cliff Nyakeya and Robert Mudenyu for Kayci Odhiambo and weekend hero Maxwell Otieno.After the break, Kakamega Homeboyz went back to the same script that worked a charm beforehand, daring Ingwe to do the unthinkable.Robert Mudenyu struck his freekick onto the side-netting four minutes into the second half, offering relief that the period would be brighter than the weather that looked to claim one victim who was led out of the grounds by the medics.Perhaps that gathered more eyeballs as AFC Leopards struggled to make much of their possession, thanks to a resilient Homeboyz backline.Brian Eshihanda should have made it 3-0 late on when he directed a strong right foot on the turn that went agonisingly wide.The stadium looked to have new life injected into it as the clock struck 90 when Cliff Nyakeya poked in his right foot shot past Shikhalo, handing the away side the onus to hold on for the entire four minutes of added time.Holding on they did, marking history for Patrick Odhiambo’s side.STARTING XI.Kakamega Homeboyz.Farouk Shikhalo, Collins Odhiambo, Eric Ambunya, Brian Eshihanda, Robinson Kamura, Esiye Eston, Felician Okanda, Hillary Otieno, Moses Shummah, Ambrose Sifuna, Kevin Amwayi.SUBS: Ibrahim Wanzala, Gaetan Masha, Brian Buleti, Gospel Otieno, Vincent Ogola, Christopher Masinza, Benson Mutonyi, John Otieno.AFC Leopards.Levis Opiyo, Peter Thiong’o, Lewis Bandi, Washington Munene, Kayci Odhiambo (39′ Mudenyu), Musa Oundo, Maxwell Otieno (39′ Nyakeya), Eugene Mukangula, Ojo Olaniyi, Victor Omune, Jafari Owiti.SUBS: Maxwell Mulili, Bonface Mukhekhe, Asad Abdullah, Dan Sunguti, Collins Shivachi, Robert Mudenyu, Cliff Nyakeya, Brian Wanyama, Moses Lukhumwa.
