Kakamega Homeboyz’s recent victory in the annual Mozzart Bet Cup final, their maiden, thrust forward previously unknown names- albeit within the spectrum of the popular. Moses Shume, winning the Most Valuable Player award, Hillary Otieno Juma scoring crucial goals in the campaign and Kevin Amwayi winning the title. These are names, save for Amwayi who was on a sabbatical, that stood up when it mattered for the side. Their sudden burst into the limelight means previously popular names at the club had to take a back seat. Left-footed forward Gaetan Masha is one such name and for one used to starting, the bench is an unfamiliar territory. He intends to step-up.‘’Competition is good, makes the team stronger because if you are handed a starting role you’ll have to put in an extra shift because someone is waiting for your position on the bench,’’ says the Congolese.Masha joined Homeboyz during the second leg of the 2022 FKF Premier League season, high-flying from Nzoia Sugar FC. Just like he had done at the sugar millers, the dreadlocked forward walked straight into Coach Bernard Mwalala’s Homeboyz. ‘’It wasn’t different then, when I joined. I found a very strong team but I was ready. Homeboyz is a team that has incredible depth. Our current team has made people realise that but the truth is it has always been there,’’ continues Masha who scored on his Homeboyz debut against Nairobi City Stars during the 2021/22 season. Mwalala ditches Ulinzi Stars for KCBHomeboyz came up short in that season’s campaign, falling to second place behind Tusker at the end of the season having led for a better part of the year. One year later and with a different coach, the club claimed its first ever major title, and a chance to play in the continent.##NAJAVA_MECA_7366761##Masha can only imagine how stiff the competition is going to be given the fresh challenge. ‘’Personally, I’m giving it my all in training. It’s a rare opportunity to play in the CAF competitions. It will be a first for many of my teammates so I’m sure the fight for starting places will only be more intense,’’ continues the 24 year old.‘’The journey to the cup final had plenty of challenges. It’s like with each step we overcame, we were given a harder one in the next. Having overcome all these I’m sure we are a different team from the one that started last season’s campaign.’’Homeboyz is expected to recall some of their players who have been on loan at Vihiga Bullets, and perhaps add fresh more legs to the squad. The trio of Apaa Omonya, Adnan Mohammed and Michael Isabwa has already been summoned from relegated Bullets. With this in mind, a few exits will be inevitable before the new season begins especially with players whose contracts are ending soon. Fingers crossed to see how Coach Patrick Odhiambo will structure his team ahead of the 2023/24 FKF PL, Mozzart Bet Cup and CAF Confederation Cup.
