Kakamega Homeboyz Hand AFC Leopards First Defeat of 2026 in Narrow FKFPL Win

Kakamega Homeboyz held on to their early advantage to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AFC Leopards in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League match at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, January 4.

AFC Leopards entered their encounter against Kakamega Homeboyz on the back of an impressive unbeaten run, having secured crucial victories against Ulinzi Stars and Bidco United to close out 2025.

This resurgent form, which includes a momentous 1-0 win over arch-rivals Gor Mahia in the Mashemeji Derby, propelled Ingwe to the summit of the FKF Premier League standings.

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Heading into the match, AFC Leopards were aiming to extend their unbeaten run despite a difficult recent history against Kakamega Homeboyz.

The visitors made a lightning-fast start when Henry Omollo capitalised on a loose ball to fire a stunning effort past Humphrey Katasi, giving Homeboyz the lead just two minutes into the contest.

Kakamega Homeboyz continued to dominate in the early stages and nearly doubled their advantage in the 10th minute after a well-weighted through ball from Glen Otunga Masava released Derrick Otanga, but a sharp reaction from Samuel Semo prevented the forward from scoring at close range.

A minute later, AFC Leopards thought they had found an equaliser following a neat build-up, with Semo finishing into the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

By the 16th minute, AFC Leopards were still struggling to break through, while Kakamega Homeboyz looked dangerous going forward.

A slick midfield move involving Rodgers Ouma and Moses Mudavadi ended with a teasing cross into the box, but Otanga narrowly missed the chance to tap the ball home, squandering what could have been a second goal.

The pressure from Kakamega Homeboyz continued in the 23rd minute, forcing Katasi into another crucial save, before the visitors threatened again two minutes later.

AFC Leopards responded by winning a corner in the 27th minute, but Tyson Otieno’s delivery was well dealt with by the Homeboyz defence.

As the match reached the half-hour mark, AFC Leopards remained behind, and Homeboyz came agonisingly close to extending their lead in the 36th minute.

Moses Mudavadi dispossessed Munyendo before releasing Masava through on goal, whose powerful strike crashed off the crossbar, denying the visitors a deserved second goal.

At the start of the second half, AFC Leopards made a triple substitution, introducing Kelly Madada, Kennedy Owino, and Samuel Ssenyonjo in place of Boniface Munyendo, Musa Oundo, and Victor Omune in a bid to turn the game around.

The changes had an immediate impact, as Madada registered AFC Leopards’ first effort after the restart in the 49th minute, forcing Kakamega Homeboyz goalkeeper to make a save from a long-range attempt.

AFC Leopards continued to dictate the tempo, and in the 55th minute, Kelly Madada came close again, unleashing a powerful strike that required a superb one-handed save from Masaka.

Kakamega Homeboyz then responded with their first substitution, bringing on Oliver Majaka to replace Derrick Otanga as they looked to manage the growing pressure.

In the 67th minute, Kakamega Homeboyz went close through Oliver Majaka, who reacted sharply to a clever dummy from Henry Omollo, but Kennedy Owino recovered well to come to AFC Leopards’ rescue.

In the 69th minute, Fred Ambani continued to shuffle his pack by introducing forward Hassan Beja to the game in place of defender Brian Nyongesa as AFC Leopards pushed for a breakthrough against Kakamega Homeboyz.

AFC Leopards responded in the 71st minute when Kelly Madada tested the goalkeeper once again, but Simon Masaka pulled off a top-class one-handed save to keep his side ahead, a truly outstanding stop.

Kakamega Homeboyz threatened again in the 75th minute with a swift counter-attack as Majaka released Omollo, who returned the ball into Majaka’s path, only for Humphrey Katasi to deny him with a strong save at the near post.

In the 77th minute, Kakamega Homeboyz made their second substitution, introducing Eston Omengo in place of Hillary Otieno. In the 80th minute, Fred Ambani brought Emmanuel Lwangu on to replace Randy Bakari as they looked to maintain stability in the final stages of the match.

Despite a spirited second-half response from AFC Leopards, Kakamega Homeboyz remained resolute at the back to protect their early goal and claim a hard-fought 1-0 victory.