Kakamega Homeboyz hopes of clinching their maiden Football Kenya Federation Premier League title hangs on the balance after falling 2-0 to defending champions Tusker at Ruaraka grounds. The loss, their third of the season means that the gap between them and Tusker has now been reduced to a point with just five rounds remaining in the season. The win on the other side drew Tusker close to the summit as well as extended the unbeaten run to seventeen matches.Full Time:A tough afternoon out in Ruaraka Tusker 2-0 Kakamega Homeboyz #MozzartBet#wearehomeboyz#AbanaBeingo pic.twitter.com/MFp1fwoo97— Kakamega Homeboyz FC (@FcHomeboyz) May 8, 2022 Homeboyz survived scares from Tusker who camped in their box from onset with Sylvester Owino’s height coming in handy as he won nearly all the aerial balls. Homeboyz midfielder Stephen Wakanya got a third minute caution after his studs landed on Stewart Omondi’s shin in the full glare of centre referee Davies Omweno. Omweno also flashed a yellow card to Shaphan Oyugi on the other hand after the latter dived under the pretence of having being brought down by Owino. Ibrahim Joshua would have given Tusker the lead in the 14th minute after he intercepted a back pass in the box but his first touch let him down as David Juma came off the line and gathered the ball before the forward pulled the trigger. The Tanzanian forward who had done incredibly well in pressing the defenders however could not be denied five minutes later as he successfully guided Brian Eshihanda’s clearance into the back of the net to give Tusker the lead. The burly forward wittingly noticed Eshihanda’s plan of whipping the ball from the line, lunged on the path and blocked what was supposed to be a long clearance into the net. KCB, Talanta share the spoils at KasaraniTusker continued to throw missiles to the Homeboyz area, forcing the visitors to cluster in their half in a bid to contain the pressure. The long balls approach employed by Homeboyz seemed not to work as they struggled to open up the Tusker defense that had an easy time in clearing them thanks to the height especially at the centre. Homeboyz finally tested Patrick Matasi for the first time four minutes into the second half through Wakanya but his low drive wasn’t strong enough to beat the experienced shot stopper. The second half pressure from Homeboyz saw Tusker make three changes at a go in the 62nd minute as Deogratious Ojok, David Majak and Jackson Macharia came in for Joshua, Shami and Oyugi respectively. Two minutes later, Homeboyz introduced Michael Karamor and Francis Omondi for Yema Mwamba and George Odiwuor in changes aimed at poking holes to the Tusker defense. Ojok justified his inclusion with an easy tap in with four minutes remaining on the clock, a goal that eased the pressure from Homeboyz who had been pushing for a point. Tusker Starting XI: Patrick Matasi,Daniel Sakari, Christopher Oruchum, Isaac Kipyegon, Charles Momanyi, Humphrey Mieno, Rodgers Ouma, Stewart Omondi, Shami Mwinyi, Ibrahim Joshua, Shaphan Oyugi Substitutes: Michael Wanjala, Kevin Monyi, Kalos Kirenge, Clyde Senaji, Jackson Macharia, David Majak, Kevin Okoth, John NjugunaKakamega Homeboyz XI: Juma David, Odhiambo Collins, Ambunya Erick, Odiwour George, Eshihanda Brian,Owino Sylvester, Wakanya Stephen, Mudavadi Moses, Gaetan Masha, Okoth David, Yema Mwamba Substitutes: Otieno Stephen , Portipher Odhiambo , Atieno Francis , Sunday Mutuku , Esiye Eston, Opoku Stephen , Karamor Michael, Murugi Raymond , Isabwa Michael
