Kakamega Homeboyz secured a spot in the Mozzart Bet Cup Round of 16 after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Samitsi FC at the Mumias Sports Complex. The match was hotly contested, and Homeboyz looked to avoid the scare they faced in the Round of 64, where Glen Masava’s late equalizer and Patrick Matasi’s penalty saves spared them from elimination against TBM Health Services FC. The victory also helped Homeboyz bounce back after a heavy defeat to Shabana FC at Gusii Stadium.##NAJAVA_MECA_8773598##Lineups Coach Francis Barasa fielded a strong side, starting in his usual 3-5-2 formation. Patrick Matasi was in goal, with Francis Omondi, Potiphar Odhiambo, and Boniface Onyango forming the back three. Farouk Musisi and John Omondi were deployed as wingbacks, while Eston Omengo and Glen Masava anchored the midfield. William Lenkupae: All you need to know about Australian-born Harambee stars midfielderHillary Otieno operated just ahead of them as the creative playmaker, with Moses Shummah and Moses Mudavadi up front as the twin strikers.Samitsi, set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, as they started with Lemmy Manase in goal. Solomon Kerry and Austine Ochieng were fullbacks, while Edward Mandela and Francis Keya formed the center-back partnership. Bramwel Okola and Melvin Chapani played as a double pivot in midfield, with Moses Mulekano as the creative force. Aineah Ndete and Joha Yekho operated as wingers, and Samson Ambani led the attack.##NAJAVA_MECA_8773590##Tactical SetupHomeboyz built from the back, with Odhiambo and Onyango spreading wide to offer options for goalkeeper Matasi. Omondi dropped into midfield, forming a triangle with the center-backs, as Samitsi did not press high in the opening phases. Once Homeboyz played out of their defensive third, they looked to progress quickly with diagonal or vertical balls into the half-spaces or channels. The wingbacks, Farouk Musisi and John Omondi, were often left free in these scenarios, allowing Homeboyz to use them as an attacking outlet. This strategy led to their opening goal: a diagonal ball found Omondi in space, and his cross was met by Mudavadi, whose header spilled into the path of Otieno, who scored into an empty net.Salaries and Remuneration Commission deny responsibility of paying Benni McCarthy’s salaryBalls played into the half-spaces were often directed towards Shummah, who used his physicality to hold off defenders and bring teammates into the play. Shummah’s runs dragged defenders out of position, creating space for Otieno, who often exploited the gaps left behind.Defensively, Homeboyz set up in a compact 5-2-1-2 formation, pressing passively in the early phases but becoming more aggressive near their penalty area. With three players ahead of the ball, they posed a counter-attacking threat. Samitsi, wary of this, kept their defensive shape tight and did not push too many players forward.##NAJAVA_MECA_8773586##Samitsi preferred direct play, opting for long balls over building from the back. However, they struggled to win the first ball due to Homeboyz’s physical superiority. They did, however, apply pressure on the second ball, using it to create 1v1 opportunities in the channels for Ndete and Yekho. Samitsi also looked to exploit the space left when Musisi and Omondi overlapped, but Homeboyz neutralized this by having one of the three center-backs drop into the channels to cover.Australia-based Lenkupae in as McCarthy names Harambee Stars’ squad for World Cup qualifiersIn midfield, Okola was more defensive, while Chapani worked box-to-box, contributing both defensively and offensively. His tireless running helped Samitsi create overloads in central areas and on the wings.Samitsi defended in a 4-4-2 shape, with Mulekano and Ambani leading the defensive block. They opted for a mid-to-low defensive setup, with wingers tracking back to help the fullbacks. This defensive structure limited Homeboyz’s attacking threats down the flanks.Samitsi’s long balls into Ambani often found success, but their attacking moves lacked quality in the final third. The ball would often find Ambani, who would then pass to Chapani or Mulekano, who would attempt to release the wingers. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8766924##Despite creating 1v1 situations on the wings, Samitsi could not convert, either due to Homeboyz’s defensive recovery or the poor quality of their final balls.As the match progressed, changes made by both teams did not significantly alter the course of the game. Homeboyz held on to their slim lead and secured the 1-0 victory.Homeboyz now face Shabana FC in the round of 16.
