Kakamega Homeboyz coach Francis Baraza has strongly stated that his team deserved more than a goalless draw against Gor Mahia in their recent FKF Premier League clash. The game ended in a stalemate, with both sides unable to find the back of the net, but for Homeboyz, it felt like a missed opportunity, as they came close several times to taking the lead.
Pius Wangi was particularly unlucky, rattling the woodwork twice during the match, and Moses Shumah thought he had given Homeboyz the lead in the 78th minute with a well-taken strike. However, the goal was controversially ruled out for offside, much to the frustration of Baraza, who believed it was a clean goal. Reflecting on the match after the final whistle, Baraza did not mince his words in expressing his disappointment.
“The goal we scored was a clean goal. Our striker was onside and attacked the ball correctly,” Baraza said in his post-match interview. He felt that his team had done enough to secure all three points but acknowledged the resilience shown by Gor Mahia, despite their own struggles.
Although the match ended without a goal, Baraza was quick to commend both teams for the tough battle, saying it was a good spectacle for the fans. He highlighted that the main issue for his side was not their play but their inability to convert their chances into goals. Despite dominating possession and creating more opportunities, Kakamega Homeboyz failed to break the deadlock, leaving them with a sense of what could have been.
For Gor Mahia, the draw was seen as a lucky escape, as they have been struggling to find their rhythm, particularly in front of goal. The defending champions were fortunate to leave the match with a point, with the lack of a clinical edge in the final third continuing to be a major concern for the team. The absence of prolific forward Benson Omala, who moved to Lebanese side Al-Safa, has left a noticeable void in their attacking options. Moreover, Congolese striker Gedeon Bendeka, who was brought in to fill Omala’s boots, has had a lackluster season, further exacerbating the club’s scoring issues.
The game was a reminder of Gor Mahia’s ongoing struggle to find consistent form, and although they still managed to secure a point, their inability to score goals has raised questions about their attacking options moving forward. Homeboyz, on the other hand, will feel hard done by, as they were the more dangerous team throughout the match. The disallowed goal in particular was a point of contention for Baraza, who believed the decision was unjust.
As the match ended, both teams were left reflecting on missed opportunities. For Gor Mahia, the point kept them in third place with 28 points, trailing second-placed Tusker with 36 points and league leaders Kenya Police, who also have 36 points. Meanwhile, Kakamega Homeboyz remain in ninth place with 23 points, still a considerable distance away from the top positions.
Despite their lower league standing, Homeboyz showed that they are more than capable of competing against the top teams in the league. Baraza’s men played with intensity and created several good chances, and the coach remains optimistic about his team’s potential, even though they were unable to secure a win this time. Their display against the defending champions will give them confidence as they look ahead to the rest of the season.
Gor Mahia, on the other hand, will need to improve their attacking play if they are to remain in contention for the title. The addition of a clinical striker has become even more pressing, as the departure of Omala and the underperformance of Bendeka have left the team struggling to find a reliable source of goals. In light of this, the club is reportedly eyeing Ugandan striker Charles Bbaale, who is currently a free agent after leaving Rwandan side Rayon Sports. If Gor Mahia can bring in a proven goal-scorer, it could bolster their title defense as they work to close the gap to the top of the league.
For now, though, both teams will have to settle for a point, with Kakamega Homeboyz rueing missed opportunities and Gor Mahia breathing a sigh of relief after escaping with a draw. The result leaves both sides with plenty to work on as the season progresses.
