Ingo derby confirmed! Kakamega Homeboyz to face AFC Leopards in Elijah Lidonde Cup final

© Kakamega Homeboyz

FOOTBALL Ingo derby confirmed! Kakamega Homeboyz to face AFC Leopards in Elijah Lidonde Cup final

Festus Chuma 17:21 - 23.12.2023

AFC Leopards will face Kakamega Homeboyz in the Elijah Lidonde Cup final after both teams won their respective matches.

Kakamega Homeboyz will face defending champions AFC Leopards in the final of the Elijah Lidonde Cup at Bukhungu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Leopards advanced to the final with a 1-0 win over Mulembe United while Kakamega Homeboyz secured their spot in the final by beating Nzoia Sugar FC 2-0 in the other encounter played at the same venue.

Homeboyz were the first to create a clear scoring chance, with a quick passing move in the 15th minute putting Enock Masinza in on goal for a one-on-one, but he was denied by a fine save from Nzoia goalkeeper Fred Munyendo.

Five minutes later, the lively Paul Oscar tested the Homeboyz goalkeeper on the other end with a low shot from just outside the penalty area, but Farouk Shikhalo was equal to the challenge, making a sharp save low to his right.

On 33 minutes Ghanaian import Stephen Opoku was at the heart of another dangerous Homeboyz attack which should have resulted in a goal, as his cross from the right was skewed wide off the target from close range by Alex Imbusia.

Both coaches then made early changes, with Salim Mulunga coming in for the injured Ronack Otieno for Nzoia, while Vincent Ogola came in for Paul Oscar for Homeboyz after a collision.

Homeboyz continued to boss the game through to the halftime interval, but the score remained 0-0.

Nzoia began the second half on a more positive side, as Dimphol Omamo managed to get a shot away on the edge of the Homeboyz area, however, his effort was punched by goalkeeper Shikhalo.

Kakamega Homeboyz dominated in midfield, putting constant pressure on the Nzoia defense, and their efforts were rewarded in the 52nd minute when Ghanaian import Stephen Opoku sent a thunderous shot that rippled the back of the net after connecting with Brian Wekesa's free-kick.

As the hour mark approached, the Sugar Millers continued to pile on the pressure, with Wekesa unleashing a powerful shot that sailed just over the crossbar.

Nzoia Sugar had another opportunity to level matters through Mohammed Barisa, who sent his shot over the bar in a goalmouth melee.

Chris Masinza almost punished Nzoia minutes after coming in at the hour mark, the former Vihiga United marker shook his marker but could only manage to direct Brian Wekesa’s cross over the upright.

Fred Muyendo then pulled off a terrific double save to deny first Moses Mudavadi and then Moses Shumah from point-blank range.

With 13 minutes left on the clock, Vincent Ogola ran onto his Homeboyz teammate Moses Shummah's pass inside the Nzoia box and buried the ball between the legs of Munyendo, who had been left exposed by his defense.

Nzoia Sugar needed two goals in the remaining minutes to reignite their hopes but they simply lacked the necessary precision up front to trouble Shikhalo and his back four as the game ended 2-0 in favour of Homeboyz.

How they lined up:

Nzoia Sugar: Munyendo Fred,  Wekesa Elisha,Omamo Dimpol, Shikokoti Nassor, Otieno Ronack, Thomas Harun, Osoro Emmanuel, Wafula Joseph ,Oyugi Joseph, Mohamed Barisa,  Maliachi Victor

Kakamega Homeboyz: Farouk Shikalo, Brian Wekesa, Brian Chala, Potiphar Odhiambo, Enock Masinza, Francis Omondi, Gospel Otieno, Stephen Opoku, Ambrose Sifuna, Alex Imbusia, Paul Oscar