Kakamega Homeboyz are the 2023 Football Kenya Federation Cup winners after beating Premier League heavyweights Tusker 1-0 at the Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani Stadium, on Saturday, July 1, 2023.

In a highly charged showdown, Kevin Amwayi scored the all-important goal for Hoemboyz in the second half.

Meanwhile, he Brewers made their first attempt in the game after a beautiful combination between Shami Mwinyi and Jackson Macharia, but their buildup could not produce the desired result as Farouk Sikhalo stopped the final shot in the fifth minute. 

Kakamega and Tusker Chances

Moses Shummah, who recently made his Harambee Stars debut, came close to finding the back of the net in the 10th minute, but his well-taken shot hit the crossbar. 

Tusker survived a dangerous situation in the 15th minute when Homeboyz created a chance that almost led to a goal. Hillary Otieno found himself at close range and, with Tusker’s defenders scattered, aimed at goal, but his effort hit the woodwork and the ball went out.

Brian Bwire, in Tusker’s goal, made a critical save in the 19th minute as the former Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions survived going down.

Another chance to take the lead for Homeboyz came in the 22nd minute after Moses Mudavadi and Amwayi combined well before the latter passed the ball to Shummah, whose attempt went wide by inches.

After struggling to handle Homeboyz for some time, Tusker regrouped and managed to possess the ball for one or two minutes, and they came close to capitalizing on their possession in the 27th minute. Shami launched a powerful shot, but Sikhalo was alert as he denied the Tusker forward a chance of finding the back of the net from close range.

The match had to be stopped in the 32nd minute when Humphrey Mieno of Tusker and Mudavadi of Homeboyz collided and needed medical attention in the process. The game resumed and proceeded without either side getting a goal in the remaining minutes before the halftime break.

Tusker’s head coach Robert Matano made a change in the 69th minute as he withdrew Macharia, and Rodgers Ouma was thrown into action. Patrick Baraza, on the other hand, brought on Ambrose Sifuna to replace Felicien Okanda for Homeboyz.

Kakamega Homeboyz’s breakthrough

Despite possessing the ball for so long, Tusker went down in the 73rd minute when Amwayi – who scored against Gor Mahia in their penultimate match of the Premier League season – found the back of the net.

Matano responded to the goal by making a double substitution. He brought on Micahel Oduor and Saphan Siwa, who took the places of Eric Mmata and Stewart Omondi in the 82nd minute before Homeboyz’s change that saw Brian Bulleti replace Amwayi.

Ten more minutes were added, but Tusker could not find the equalizer, and thus the Homeboyz became champions.

This is a huge achievement by Homeboyz, who will now get a chance to make their maiden appearance in the Confederation Cup.

Meanwhile, the result means Tusker have finished the 2022/23 season without a trophy after losing the Premier League race to Gor Mahia. They were seen as pre-tournament favourites, but fell to Homeboyz, who will now head to the Confederation Cup.

The disappointing season’s performance will now shed more light on Matano’s position at the club. Earlier reports indicated that Matano was set to leave the club and move to Bandari, but the Dockers are said to have made a U-turn and will now appoint Twahir Muhiddin on a permanent basis.

The spotlight will also be on the Tusker’s board to see whether they will stick with the experienced tactician who led them to two consecutive Premier League titles.